Meghan Markle defended over confusing detail in rare video of UK return

The Duchess of Sussex's latest glimpse into her family's new life in the UK has sparked a rather unexpected debate online - and not everyone is pleased.

Meghan Markle uploaded a video compilation to Instagram on Sunday (13 Sept), showing she, Prince Harry, and their children, seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet enjoying a walk through the countryside.

The post marks the first the 45-year-old has shared since returning to the UK following several years living in California.

The montage included clips of the foursome soaking up some rare British sunshine, enjoying walks, cycling, fishing and spending some time warming up their wellies around a log fire.

But eagle-eyed viewers quickly noticed something they found rather confusing.

Some social media users questioned how the footage could all have been filmed around the same time when Harry and Meghan appear to be dressed for much colder weather, wearing long trousers and jeans, and a coat and puffer jacket, while their children are wearing shorts and short sleeves.

One X user wrote: "People in Cotswold, England: what kind of weather are you having where Archie and Lilibet are in summer clothes but Harry and Meghan are in winter coats. Why are the leaves green like it’s spring in September."

Another agreed: "That was one of the first things I noticed. The seasons didn’t jibe."

The Reddit discussion was similarly focused on the family's rather varied approach to the British weather.

"Harry and Meghan in cold weather gear, the kids in summer clothing, fire and bare feet," one person wrote, before questioning why the children appeared to be dressed so differently from their parents.

The couple were seen wearing thick winter clothes (Instagram/@meghan)

But not everyone was convinced there was anything particularly strange going on, however.

Several people pointed out that there is no reason to assume every clip in Meghan's compilation was filmed on the same day, or even in the same season.

"Well, nobody said it was shot at one time," one person argued.

Another said: "That’s clearly 2 very different videos shot in different seasons."

And one commenter from Cornwall offered perhaps the most British explanation of all.

"I'm not in The Cotswolds but in Cornwall. To be fair, at this time of year, we really can have 4 seasons in one day," they wrote, adding that they didn't 'doubt' the footage could be genuine.

They did admit it was 'not really cold enough for a fire yet', though suggested the family could simply be 'aclimatising to the cooler UK temperatures'.

Archie and Lilibet had their arms and legs out (Instagram/@meghan)

Meghan's video comes after a major change in the Sussexes' lives, with the couple having made the move back to Britain following a six-year absence.

The family travelled to the UK last month, with Harry and Meghan understood to be living at a private, non-royal residence outside London, reportedly in the Cotswolds.

Archie and Lilibet, meanwhile, are understood to have been enrolled in British schools.

The move marks a significant change for the couple, who stepped down as working royals in 2020, citing severe bullying from senior royals and abuse by the British press, before relocating to the US.

And their return has already prompted some clarification from King Charles III.

Earlier this month, the King instructed the Lord Chamberlain to contact government departments and military officials after the Sussexes' return, confirming that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family.

The couple returned to the UK last month (Instagram/@meghan)

A statement said there was 'no change' to their existing status, while their royal titles remain in place but their HRH styles are not used.

Harry and Meghan's representative subsequently said the couple were 'a little surprised' not to have been told about the King's letter in advance, although royal sources reportedly claimed they had been made aware of it before it became public.