In a stunning display of royal wit that has set social media ablaze, Buckingham Palace has fired back with a cheeky response to a controversial Instagram video posted by reality TV star Jamie Laing, which brazenly parodies a deeply personal dance clip shared by Meghan Markle. The former Made in Chelsea heartthrob, alongside his pregnant wife Sophie Habboo, sparked a global uproar by recreating the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s now-infamous “Baby Mama” dance inside the hallowed halls of Buckingham Palace. What was meant as a playful jab has spiraled into a polarizing scandal, with royal fans, critics, and influencers divided over whether the Palace’s tongue-in-cheek retort was a masterstroke of humor or a scandalous breach of decorum. As the drama unfolds, this audacious moment raises explosive questions about royal protocol, celebrity antics, and the ever-tense relationship between the monarchy and the Sussexes.
A Dance That Shook the Palace
The saga began when Jamie Laing, a 36-year-old BBC Radio One host and supporter of The King’s Trust charity, attended a glittering reception at Buckingham Palace on June 25, 2025. The event, hosted to honor the charity’s award winners, drew high-profile guests like George and Amal Clooney. But it was Laing and his wife, Sophie Habboo, who stole the spotlight with their eyebrow-raising antics. The couple, expecting their first child, filmed themselves gyrating on the Grand Staircase—a majestic, red-carpeted marvel flanked by royal portraits—to the tune of Starrkeisha’s “Baby Mama.” The caption, “They said we couldn’t film in Buckingham Palace,” dripped with defiance, as Laing knowingly flouted palace rules.
The dance was no random act of revelry. It directly mimicked a throwback video Meghan Markle shared earlier in June 2025 to mark her daughter Princess Lilibet’s fourth birthday. In that clip, filmed in 2021 in a California hospital delivery suite, a heavily pregnant Meghan and Prince Harry danced to the same song in a lighthearted attempt to induce labor. Meghan’s post, meant to share a joyful family moment, had already divided public opinion, with some praising her authenticity and others slamming it as inappropriate for a former royal. Laing’s parody, performed in the heart of the monarchy’s stronghold, was seen by many as a deliberate dig at the Sussexes, reigniting debates about their place in the royal narrative.
The Palace’s Unexpected Riposte
What could have been a diplomatic nightmare for Buckingham Palace turned into a social media spectacle when the official “theroyalfamily” Instagram account responded to Laing’s post with a cryptic, “We see you,” paired with eye and wink emojis. The King’s Trust chimed in with equal playfulness, commenting, “All of our attendees are very well behaved,” alongside laughing emojis. The responses, far from the Palace’s usual stoic demeanor, sent shockwaves through the internet. Fans hailed the “best response ever,” with one commenting, “In a world at times worrying and serious, this comment was so needed.” Others, however, were less amused, branding Laing’s video “disrespectful” and the Palace’s reaction “cringe-worthy.”
The Palace’s lighthearted approach was a calculated risk. Historically, the monarchy has maintained a dignified silence on matters involving the Sussexes, especially since their departure from royal duties in 2020. Meghan and Harry’s decision to step back, coupled with their public revelations about palace life, has strained relations with the royal family. By engaging with Laing’s video, the Palace broke from tradition, signaling a willingness to embrace modern social media dynamics while subtly acknowledging the ongoing tensions with the Sussexes. Palace insiders reportedly viewed the video as a harmless jest tied to Laing’s support for The King’s Trust, but they cautioned that such behavior isn’t something they’d encourage from every guest.
A Divided Public and a Social Media Storm
The public’s reaction was as polarized as the Palace’s response was unexpected. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and X, erupted with commentary. Supporters of Laing and Habboo saw the video as a playful nod to a viral trend, with one fan cheekily noting, “When you get to do it at the Palace but Harry and Meghan couldn’t lol.” Celebrities like Fearne Cotton, who attended the reception, joined the fun, joking about Laing’s use of a camera flash near priceless royal paintings. Others, however, were incensed. Critics labeled the couple’s actions “diabolical” and “disrespectful,” arguing that mocking a personal moment from Meghan’s pregnancy was in poor taste, especially within the sacred confines of Buckingham Palace.
The controversy tapped into deeper sentiments about Meghan and Harry’s treatment since leaving the royal fold. Their 2021 dance video, shared in 2025, had already fueled conspiracy theories and trolling, with detractors questioning the authenticity of Meghan’s pregnancy and criticizing her for sharing such an intimate moment. Laing’s parody, performed in a space symbolically tied to the monarchy’s authority, was interpreted by some as a jab at the Sussexes’ exclusion from royal life. One X user remarked that the video was “deeply hysterical” because it highlighted Meghan’s perceived fall from grace, while others defended her, arguing that the Palace’s response trivialized a serious issue.
The King’s Trust and the Bigger Picture
At the heart of the event was The King’s Trust, a charity founded by King Charles in 1976 to support disadvantaged youth. The reception celebrated young people who overcame adversity with the charity’s help, and Laing’s involvement as a supporter added context to his presence at the Palace. His playful demeanor, including a later Instagram Story showing him laughing with King Charles, underscored his positive relationship with the royal family. The charity’s own humorous comment on the video aligned with the Palace’s tone, suggesting a unified front in embracing the moment’s levity.
The event’s high-profile guest list, including the Clooneys, highlighted the charity’s prestige and its ability to draw influential figures. Yet, Laing’s video shifted focus from the charity’s mission to a sensational sideshow, raising questions about the balance between publicity and propriety. The Palace’s decision to engage humorously may have been an attempt to keep the narrative positive, avoiding the risk of appearing overly rigid in a media landscape that thrives on viral moments.
Royal Protocol in the Digital Age
The incident underscores the monarchy’s evolving relationship with social media and public perception. Buckingham Palace has increasingly used platforms like Instagram to humanize the royal family, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses and engaging with followers. The “We see you” comment was a rare foray into playful banter, reflecting a broader strategy to appear relatable while maintaining authority. However, it also exposed the risks of such engagement, as the response was interpreted by some as endorsing a mockery of the Sussexes.
For Meghan and Harry, the episode is another chapter in their complex saga with the royal family. Since relocating to California, they’ve carved out a new identity through media ventures and philanthropy, but their every move remains under scrutiny. Meghan’s decision to share the 2021 dance video was a bold assertion of her narrative, yet it left her vulnerable to ridicule. Laing’s parody, amplified by the Palace’s reaction, highlights the ongoing challenge of navigating their post-royal identity in a world quick to judge.
A Moment of Levity or a Royal Misstep?
As the dust settles, the Buckingham Palace dance drama remains a lightning rod for debate. Was Laing’s video a harmless prank or a calculated slight? Did the Palace’s cheeky response defuse a potential crisis or fan the flames of controversy? The answers depend on where one stands in the ever-divisive discourse surrounding the monarchy and the Sussexes. What’s undeniable is that this moment—equal parts absurd and profound—has captured the world’s attention, proving that even a dance can shake the foundations of royal tradition.
For now, Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo continue their pregnancy journey, basking in the glow of their viral moment. Buckingham Palace, meanwhile, has shown it can wield humor as deftly as protocol, but at what cost? As the internet churns with memes, hot takes, and royal gossip, one thing is clear: in the age of social media, even the grandest staircases can become stages for scandal.
