In yet another chapter of the never-ending saga that’s got royal watchers and online detectives buzzing, Meghan Markle has dropped what many are branding a “ridiculous lie” straight from her latest publicity push. During promotions for the upcoming Sundance documentary *Cookie Queens* — which she and Prince Harry are executive producing about Girl Scouts selling cookies — the Duchess of Sussex casually revealed her “personal affinity” for the project, stating she was a Girl Scout growing up in California… with her mother, Doria Ragland, serving as her very own troop leader.
Yes, you read that right. Doria — the same Doria who’s been painted in various narratives as everything from a devoted single mom to someone with a more complicated past — allegedly led Meghan’s Girl Scout troop. Meghan even shared a rare childhood throwback photo on Instagram showing young Meghan in her scout uniform alongside Doria, beaming as the supposed troop leader. The image, posted in December 2025, was meant to underscore the “full circle” moment of Meghan now championing a film about cookie-selling scouts.
But hold everything — not everyone’s buying this wholesome rewrite of history.
Critics and longtime observers on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are tearing into the claim with glee, labeling it everything from a blatant fabrication to yet another attempt to polish the Sussex brand with feel-good, all-American nostalgia. One viral clip circulating online features a commentator incredulously reacting: “Meghan as a girl scout herself and her mum as her troop leader… Doria, really? WTF?” The post, timestamped January 25, 2026, quickly racked up likes and quotes from users who called it “hilarious” and “desperate.”
The skepticism isn’t coming out of nowhere. For years, Meghan’s childhood stories have been dissected under a microscope, with detractors pointing out inconsistencies in how her upbringing is portrayed. Thomas Markle Sr., her father, has long been described in interviews and family accounts as the primary caregiver during much of her early years, especially after her parents’ divorce. Doria, a social worker and yoga instructor, has been characterized by some sources as less consistently present — leading to questions about how she could have doubled as a hands-on Girl Scout troop leader.
Online sleuths have dug deep, with some posts from as far back as 2023 questioning the troop leader claim and demanding “receipts.” Others highlight the convenient timing: this Girl Scout revelation surfaces prominently now, tied to a high-profile Netflix-adjacent project (Archewell Productions is involved) that’s generating buzz ahead of its premiere. Coincidence? Or calculated storytelling to humanize Meghan as the relatable, cookie-selling mom who got her values from scouting?
Even more eyebrow-raising are the side whispers about Doria’s background. While mainstream media has largely accepted the troop leader narrative — with outlets like People, InStyle, and Daily Mail reporting it straight — fringe corners of social media and commentary channels insist the photo and story don’t add up. Some point to the absence of any earlier mentions of scouting in Meghan’s extensive interviews over the years, from her Archetypes podcast days to her *Spare*-era press tour. If it was such a formative experience, why the sudden deep dive now?
Adding fuel to the fire, Meghan’s pattern of selective family storytelling has come under scrutiny again. Just as critics previously accused her of only sharing kid details when it’s monetized (see: paid Netflix series mentions vs. organic interviews), this Girl Scout tale feels tailor-made for the *Cookie Queens* promo cycle. The documentary, directed by Alysa Nahmias, celebrates young entrepreneurs selling cookies — and who better to lend star power and “personal connection” than a former scout whose mom ran the troop?
Meghan herself has leaned into the nostalgia hard. In statements around the film’s announcement, she gushed about her “personal affinity” and shared that childhood snap to hammer home the point. Prince Harry, ever the supportive partner, joined her at Sundance events to promote it, with Meghan even naming her favorite cookie flavor for extra relatability points.
Yet the backlash keeps rolling. X users are posting side-by-side comparisons: old family photos vs. the new throwback, questioning timelines, uniforms, and why Doria — if such a pivotal figure — faded from public childhood anecdotes until it suited the narrative. One particularly savage take: “Doria as troop leader before she ‘vanished for a decade’? Sure, Jan.”
Defenders, meanwhile, argue it’s harmless nostalgia and that digging into childhood details is unfair. But for the growing chorus of skeptics, this is just the latest in a string of what they call embellishments — from arch nemesis tales to origin stories that shift depending on the audience.
As *Cookie Queens* gears up for its big reveal, one thing’s certain: Meghan Markle’s version of her Girl Scout days has cookie enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists alike hooked. Is it a sweet, genuine memory resurfacing? Or another layer of carefully crafted PR icing on the Sussex cake?
The public is watching — and many aren’t swallowing it whole. What do YOU think: adorable family fact… or another ridiculous lie exposed? Drop your takes below — the debate is heating up faster than a fresh batch of Thin Mints!
