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Did Meghan Markle tip off paparazzi? Photographer's remark piques curiosity: ‘She has media on speed dial’

'They are not only leaking stories, but also lies and staged paparazzi photos. Deluded and vapid disgraced ex-royals,' a user tweeted

All hell broke loose after Meghan Markle and Harry's no-holds-barred Oprah Winfrey interview aired on March 7. The fierce claims made on the chat show sparked outrage among staunch palace loyalists and royal experts, who dissected every statement and every word spoken by the Duchess of Sussex.

Recently, photographer Jesal Parshotam piqued curiosity when he mildly suggested that the royal couple tip off the paparazzi and leak stories. During the 'Hollywood Raw Podcast', Jesal sat on the fence when asked if there were any truth to rumors about Meghan tipping off photographers. "I'm going to have to say no comment. You boys interpret that as you wish, but I can't say it's a categorical no and I can't say it's a categorical yes."

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Jesal's statement was quite shocking given Meghan's previous claims where she had said how her "portrayal" in the British media drove her to suicide. However, the photographer was quick to do some damage control later on. "When Meghan talked about the press and Harry talks about the press, in my personal experience, it wasn't like that. Every time I have photographed Meghan, she has laughed, she has said hello, she has smiled," he said and continued how she would often pose with the paparazzi.

Harry, Meghan and those ‘leaked’ stories

This is an odd piece of information given the couple's running battle with the press. Previously, they have sued tabloids over images taken sneakily. According to reports, Meghan and Harry had pushed a paparazzi agency to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy over photos taken of Archie in Canada in early 2020. The said pictures were published by the Daily Mail. It wouldn't be outlandish to assume that their relationship with the press has been strained at best. 

MEAWW previously reported how the two were indirectly accused of leaking news. "For a couple that left for privacy, there is an extraordinary amount of stories surrounding their lives that do get leaked out," Russell Myers, Royal Editor for the Daily Mirror, said during a conversation with talkRADIO. "These find their way into the British press. We understand that they've got a few friendly journalists that they deal with. They've cut out some of the press that they said they weren't happy with their coverage."

What is the real truth?

According to OK! Magazine, Meghan and Harry's publicist allegedly told a royal journalist about drones flying over their home in California. Later, a story was published in the Daily Beast titled "Fearful Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Report Multiple Drone Flybys to LAPD, Will Now Pay for Own Security." In the article, the alleged "source" said, "They see these drones coming in at them, and they guess that they are being operated by photographers, but they can’t just assume that. Meghan received racist death threats at the time of her wedding, so the terror threat is very real for them." 

Contradictorily, the couple found themselves worried when a picture of Archie was being sold and distributed among media outlets. In fact, the two even filed a lawsuit.

"This action arises out of the relentless and quite frankly shocking efforts of the tabloid media to profit from serial intrusions of the privacy of a 14-month-old child in his own home," AP quoted lines from the suit and added: "and the desire and responsibility of any parent to do what is necessary to protect their children from this manufactured feeding frenzy."

‘Meghan has the media on speed dial’

Meanwhile, the internet has interesting thoughts on whether Meghan was capable of pulling stunts like these. "Starlets and celebrities do that. it's called advertising. they pay people to make people buy what they have to offer -a product, a film/show they're on, services offered, etc. the question is: did the money and effort spent on advertising her brand yield the same profit?" one user tweeted, another pointed out: "Wow how can that even be a question. Of course she does under the guise of a 'friend'."

A third posted: "Of cause she does...she has the media on speed dial." "Lol. And you’re delusional if you think the Royal Family is “unpopular”& meghan markle of suits the social climber is “adorable.” The social climber should be grateful the royal family gave her fame & attention & paparazzi & tabloids she loves but never had as a z list actress," another pointed out.

"They are not only leaking stories, but also lies and staged paparazzi photos. Deluded and vapid disgraced ex-royals," a user wrote.

Harry went back to the UK for his grandfather Prince Philip's funeral while Meghan — who is pregnant with a baby girl — stayed back in the US on doctor's advice. A source said that Meghan made "every effort" to travel but didn’t receive medical clearance from her physician. 

Back in January 2020, they announced their decision to "step back as senior members" of the royal family. Meghan and Harry are yet to comment on Jesal's big reveal.