A previously unreleased photo of a younger Meghan Markle is sparking reactions on Twitter ahead of its inclusion in an upcoming "7News Australia Spotlight" special featuring the Duchess of Sussex's father and half-siblings.

Journalist Taylor Auerbach tweeted the candid image, which shows Markle, now 44, laughing at a dinner table during an event. She wears a white button-up shirt with a napkin tucked into the collar and has her hair in a messy bun. The time and place of the photo remain unknown.

Auerbach claimed these were "[t]he photographs Meghan Markle NEVER wanted the world to see." The tweet prompted mixed responses, with some users questioning whether the image had been manipulated, as Markle's head appeared disproportionately large for her body.

One user wrote, "Is this Photoshopped? Her head looks [too] big for her body." Another commented, "Picture is Photoshopped. [I] hope [you're] ready to be sued."

However, many of Markle's fans defended her, arguing that while the photo may not be the most flattering, she still looks beautiful. One supporter tweeted, "I see a great smile, clear bright skin and the remnants of what looked like a delicious meal... Maybe it's not the most flattering photo if you're looking at the surface, but I think it shows happy memories."

The photo will appear in a "7News Spotlight" interview with Meghan's estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., half-sister Samantha Markle, and half-brother Thomas Markle Jr. The special will air just days before King Charles III's coronation on May 6.

The recently released trailer for the special promises "treasured memories, home truths, and secret tapes" from Meghan's past, including her crowning as homecoming queen. Samantha Markle accuses her half-sister of neglecting their father, saying, "She [Meghan] would still be a waitress if it wasn't for dad."

Samantha also refers to Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry as "toxic" in the teaser. The special is set to air on Channel 7 and 7 plus at 8:30 p.m. local time on Sunday.