A newly leaked video has reignited one of the most explosive controversies surrounding Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex: the authenticity of her pregnancy with her first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The footage, captured during a March 2019 royal engagement at New Zealand House in London, shows Meghan, then eight months pregnant, performing a deep squat in 5-inch stilettos before standing up effortlessly. This shocking moment has sent shockwaves through social media, with critics and conspiracy theorists claiming it provides “insane” evidence that her pregnancy was staged, while supporters argue it reflects her remarkable strength. As the debate intensifies, the question looms large: Was Meghan’s pregnancy real, or was it an elaborate fabrication?

The video, which first surfaced on YouTube and has since gone viral across platforms like Reddit and Twitter, captures Meghan bending down to place a condolence book on the floor during an event honoring the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks. Dressed in a form-fitting black dress that accentuates her baby bump, she executes the squat with her knees together—a movement that many deem implausible for a woman in the late stages of pregnancy. The clip’s most striking detail is the ease with which she rises, accompanied by what some describe as a “popping” sound, leading to wild speculation. A Reddit user posted, “That’s not possible at 8 months—knees together like that? It’s a moonbump for sure!” Another YouTube commenter added, “You can hear it pop when she stands—clearly a prosthetic!” These reactions have fueled a long-standing conspiracy theory that Meghan used a surrogate and wore a fake belly to deceive the public.

This isn’t the first time Meghan’s pregnancy has faced scrutiny. Since announcing her pregnancy with Archie in October 2018, rumors have swirled that she faked her baby bump, with detractors pointing to various “inconsistencies.” They cite moments like her cradling her bump in a way they deem unnatural, her ability to wear high heels late into pregnancy (such as the 4.1-inch Aquazzurra slingbacks seen at multiple events), and now this squat as evidence of a staged performance. A 2019 International Business Times article quoted a netizen saying, “No woman can squat like that after the 4th month—her uterus would prevent it. This is proof it’s fake.” The theory gained further traction with the 2021 release of the Sussexes’ Oprah interview and Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, where Meghan hinted at the emotional toll of public scrutiny, prompting some to question if her narrative was a cover-up.

On the other hand, Meghan’s defenders argue that the criticism is baseless and rooted in misunderstanding. Pregnancy experiences vary widely, and Meghan’s fitness background—known for her love of yoga and outdoor activities—may explain her agility. On Mumsnet, a user at 37 weeks pregnant wrote, “I can still squat like this without issue—every pregnancy is different.” Another shared, “I did yoga until my due date, and heels were my comfort zone too.” Experts like Emma McConnachie, a podiatrist cited in the Daily Mail, support this view, noting that women accustomed to heels might prefer them over flats due to shortened calf muscles during pregnancy. Furthermore, Brittany Mahomes, wife of NFL star Patrick Mahomes, posted a video in November 2024 of herself squatting with a barbell while pregnant, captioned “Still squatting my life away,” proving that such feats are possible for active women.

The squat footage also draws parallels to Meghan’s 2021 appearance on The Ellen Show, where she squatted in heels during a prank involving hot sauce. Though she wasn’t pregnant then (Lilibet had already been born), critics seized on it as further “evidence,” ignoring the context. This pattern of scrutiny suggests a broader narrative: Meghan, as a biracial woman entering the traditionally white royal family, faces a level of skepticism rarely applied to others, such as Kate Middleton, whose pregnancies were met with admiration rather than doubt. The racial undertones of this controversy are hard to ignore, with some suggesting that Meghan’s every move is disproportionately dissected due to her background.

Scientifically, the claims of a fake pregnancy lack substantiation. Pregnancy alters a woman’s center of gravity and pelvic stability, but these changes don’t universally prevent squatting—especially for someone with Meghan’s fitness level. A 2020 study from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports moderate exercise during pregnancy, including strength training, for women without complications. Meghan’s ability to squat could thus reflect her preparation rather than fakery. Moreover, Archie’s birth on May 6, 2019, at Portland Hospital was officially documented, and the couple’s subsequent openness about parenthood—sharing moments like Archie’s christening and Lilibet’s birth in 2021—contradicts the conspiracy narrative. Yet, the lack of concrete evidence hasn’t stopped the speculation, which thrives on social media’s echo chambers.

The controversy also highlights the intense public fascination with Meghan’s life. Since marrying Prince Harry in 2018, she has been a polarizing figure, with her fashion, parenting, and even her pregnancies under a microscope. The squat video, though a fleeting moment, has become a symbol of this scrutiny, amplifying theories that range from plausible to outlandish. Some suggest the “popping” sound was a microphone issue or fabric movement, not a prosthetic, while others point to editing tricks in the leaked clip. Without access to the original, unedited footage, these claims remain speculative, but they’ve kept the debate alive nearly six years later.

Culturally, Meghan’s squat challenges outdated stereotypes of pregnancy as a time of frailty. Historically, pregnant women were confined to rest, but modern trends embrace active pregnancies—think Serena Williams winning the Australian Open while pregnant in 2017. Meghan’s actions align with this shift, yet the backlash she faces reveals a disconnect: while some celebrate her strength, others use it to fuel doubt. This duality mirrors her broader experience—praised by some as a trailblazer, vilified by others as inauthentic.

The leaked footage’s impact extends beyond Meghan herself. It reflects a society obsessed with celebrity pregnancies, where every gesture is dissected for hidden meaning. For Meghan and Harry, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 partly to escape such scrutiny, the video reopens old wounds. In their Oprah interview, Meghan spoke of the toll of public narratives, including pregnancy rumors, while Harry emphasized their desire for privacy. The persistence of these theories, despite no evidence, underscores the challenges of living under a global spotlight.

So, was Meghan’s pregnancy real or fake? The evidence—her documented hospital birth, the couple’s public family moments, and the variability of pregnancy experiences—leans toward reality. The squat, while unusual, can be explained by her fitness and individual physiology. Yet, the “insane” speculation persists, driven by a mix of fascination, bias, and the internet’s appetite for drama. As the debate rages, one thing is certain: Meghan Markle’s every move, even a simple squat, will continue to captivate and divide the world, leaving the truth buried beneath a mountain of conjecture.