Claims that Meghan Markle wore a microphone during the Windsor Castle walkaround have been debunked and labelled 'ludicrous'.
The Duchess of Sussex joined her husband Prince Harry and in-laws Prince William and Kate Middleton as they greeted well-wishers outside Windsor Castle and admired the many tributes left for her Majesty. However, this comes after an online rumour surfaced that Meghan was actually wearing a microphone during the public outing, reports the Mirror.
The Sussexes joined the Prince and Princess of Wales, after 45 minutes of negotiations took place, for the first time since the Commonwealth Day service in early 2020. With the microphone theory being discussed online, a source close to Meghan told Page Six: "This is insane and actually damaging to her. Of course, she was not wearing a mic."
Some critics had audaciously claimed that Meghan was wearing a 'microphone' under her dress because of a crease seen at her waist, but it was clearly just that.
"The waist outline sure looks like a mic pack," said one person, while another added: "Meghan was wearing some sort of device that you could see the square outline of during the walkabout. Likely for recording purpose."
However, many more people rushed to shut down the laughable claims. "It's just creases in the dress, nothing else," wrote one. In agreement, a second said: "You people are pathetic."
A third agreed: "Maybe she wears her belt on the inside and that's the buckle. I often wear my belt on the inside with the buckle off-centre. I'm sure many people do."
At one stage, Meghan affectionately rubbed Harry's back reassuringly before linking arms with her husband as a tender show of support. After taking in the tributes, the brothers had a touching exchange before heading off in different directions with their respective partners.
All four then began chatting to members of the public who had been patiently waiting outside Windsor Castle - and had no idea Harry and Meghan would be in attendance. Meghan shook hands with a large number of people, including a child who was on her parent's shoulders, and was handed flowers to add to the collection.
The most heartwarming moment was when Meghan approached a teenager, who was in disbelief that she was talking to the former Suits actress, then put her arms out and asked: "Can I have a hug?" Meghan nodded before leaning in and giving Amelka Zak, 14, a warm embrace - with the emotional moment airing on TV.
Speaking to CNN, Amelka said: "We were just waiting for her to come and she came near me and asked my name and how my day was, how long I was waiting. And I asked her if I could have a hug, and she hugged me back. It was quite an amazing moment. I'm still shaking now."
Meghan has also paused the release of her Spotify podcast, Archetypes, during the mourning period for the Queen. Just weeks after her interview discussing parenthood in The Cut, the Duchess of Sussex has delayed the release of any more episodes.
A message on the podcast's Spotify page said: "New episodes of Archetypes will be paused during the official mourning period for Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II." So far, Meghan had spoken with veteran tennis player Serena Williams, pop star Mariah Carey and actress and producer Mindy Kaling, on the much-anticipated podcast.
Archetypes was launched with the aim of investigating "labels that try to hold women back" through conversations between Meghan and historians, experts and women who have experienced being typecast. The pause comes after Harry paid an emotional tribute to his late grandmother on Monday, thanking the Queen for her "sound advice" and "infectious smile".
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