In a world where every royal move is scrutinized, Meghan Markle has once again found herself at the epicenter of a media storm that’s left jaws dropping and tongues wagging. A recently resurfaced video of the Duchess of Sussex, twerking and shimmying in a hospital room while supposedly nine months pregnant with Princess Lilibet, has sent shockwaves across the internet. The clip, shared to celebrate her daughter’s fourth birthday, was meant to be a heartwarming throwback to the moments before Lilibet’s birth in 2021. Instead, it’s become the spark that reignited one of the most bizarre and persistent conspiracy theories in modern royal history: the claim that Meghan’s pregnancy was an elaborate hoax, complete with a prosthetic “rubber baby bump” designed to deceive the world. As online sleuths dissect every frame, whispers of a “jaw-dropping plan” are growing louder, leaving the public to wonder: is this the ultimate royal ruse, or a cruel campaign against a mother’s sacred moment?

The video in question, an 80-second clip posted on Meghan’s Instagram, shows the Duchess, visibly pregnant, dancing energetically to the viral TikTok hit The Baby Mama Dance by Starrkeisha. Clad in casual clothes, she sways, rows, and even twerks alongside Prince Harry, who briefly shuffles into view in a hoodie. Captioned with a lighthearted note about trying to induce labor after spicy food, acupuncture, and walking failed, the post was meant to showcase a relatable, human side of the Sussexes. But what Meghan likely intended as a nostalgic tribute has morphed into a lightning rod for controversy, with critics on platforms like X, Reddit, and YouTube poring over every detail to fuel claims that her baby bump was anything but real.

The conspiracy, often dubbed the “moonbump theory,” isn’t new. It first emerged during Meghan’s 2019 pregnancy with Archie, when tabloid photos of her cradling her bump were mocked for appearing “oddly shaped” or “shifting unnaturally.” Social media trolls, self-proclaimed “Meghan Truthers,” and even members of her estranged family, like her half-brother Thomas Markle Jr., fanned the flames, alleging she used a prosthetic belly to fake her pregnancies. By the time Lilibet was born in 2021, the rumors had grown into a full-blown online movement, with thousands of posts analyzing Meghan’s every outfit, movement, and public appearance for signs of deception. The hospital dance video, however, has taken things to a new level, with detractors pointing to the “lumpy” appearance of her bump, its “unnatural sagging,” and her “superhuman” ability to dance so vigorously at nine months pregnant as evidence of a grand scheme.

Why would Meghan, a former actress turned global icon, orchestrate such a deception? Conspiracy theorists offer a range of motives, none backed by credible evidence. Some claim she used a surrogate to avoid the physical toll of pregnancy while maintaining the public image of a glowing expectant mother. Others suggest it was a ploy for attention, arguing that faking a pregnancy would keep her in the headlines and cement her status as a royal rebel. The most extreme factions even question the existence of Archie and Lilibet, alleging the children are part of a broader royal cover-up. These claims, while dismissed by medical professionals and royal insiders, have found fertile ground in the darker corners of the internet, where Meghan’s every move is met with suspicion.

The hospital video’s release has only poured fuel on this fire. Online forums buzz with frame-by-frame analyses, with users zooming in on Meghan’s bump to highlight what they call “inconsistencies.” One X post, liked thousands of times, claimed the bump “sagged below her pelvis” and “looked more like a pillow than a baby.” Another user, claiming to be a nurse, insisted that Meghan’s lack of an IV drip or hospital gown was “unheard of” for a woman in labor, while others questioned why she was wearing jewelry or moving so freely. Some even speculated that the video was filmed on a movie set or generated by AI, pointing to the absence of visible medical equipment as proof. These accusations, while lacking any substantiation, have spread like wildfire, with hashtags like #Megnancy and #Moonbump trending across social media.

But the controversy isn’t just about the video itself—it’s about the broader narrative surrounding Meghan’s time as a royal and her life in America. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry have carved out a new path in California, launching ventures like their Netflix series, Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever, and her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder. Yet, their every move seems to attract scrutiny, from their parenting choices to their business ventures. The pregnancy conspiracy, in particular, has been linked to deeper biases, with some experts suggesting it stems from a lack of representation of pregnant women of color in media, leading to misconceptions about how pregnancy “should” look. Meghan, as a biracial woman in the predominantly white world of royalty, has faced unique challenges, with her pregnancies becoming a canvas for projecting societal fears and prejudices.

Meghan’s supporters, including friends like tech entrepreneur Christopher Bouzy, have fiercely defended her, calling the moonbump rumors “cruel” and “unhinged.” They argue that Meghan’s openness about her miscarriage in 2020 and her struggles with postpartum preeclampsia—a rare and dangerous condition—prove her authenticity as a mother. In her podcast, Meghan shared how preeclampsia forced her to juggle medical scares while caring for her children, a revelation that resonated with countless women. Yet, detractors twist even these disclosures, claiming her candidness is a calculated move to deflect suspicion. The dance video, they argue, was a deliberate attempt to “debunk” the moonbump rumors with humor, only to backfire spectacularly.

Medical experts have also weighed in, dismantling the conspiracy’s core claims. Obstetricians note that the “lumps” on Meghan’s bump are likely cardiotocography (CTG) monitors, standard devices used to track a baby’s heart rate and contractions in late pregnancy. These monitors, strapped to the belly with elastic bands, can create a bumpy appearance under clothing, especially during movement. As for Meghan’s dancing, doctors confirm that gentle movement, including swaying or dancing, is not only safe but often encouraged to help position the baby for labor. Far from being “superhuman,” Meghan’s actions align with the experiences of many women in late pregnancy, particularly those past their due dates, as both Archie and Lilibet were.

The Sussexes have remained silent on the latest wave of speculation, but their history suggests they’re no strangers to fighting back. In 2021, they sent legal threats to media outlets reporting that Queen Elizabeth II was upset over Lilibet’s name, a claim they disputed. Their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan addressed the misinformation surrounding their lives, with Harry calling it a “global humanitarian crisis.” Yet, their efforts to control the narrative often amplify the very rumors they seek to quash, a phenomenon known as the Streisand effect. The dance video, whether a genuine moment of joy or a strategic PR move, has only deepened the divide between their fans and critics.

For Meghan’s detractors, the moonbump theory is more than a rumor—it’s a symbol of their distrust in her authenticity. They point to her carefully curated social media presence, her Hollywood background, and her estrangement from family as evidence of a woman skilled at crafting a public persona. The hospital video, with its polished production and viral appeal, fits neatly into this narrative, fueling accusations of manipulation. Meanwhile, her supporters see the conspiracy as a vicious attack on her motherhood, one of the few aspects of her life that should be beyond reproach. They argue that the obsession with her bump reflects a broader refusal to accept her as a legitimate figure, whether as a royal, a mother, or a businesswoman.

As the debate rages on, the public is left to grapple with uncomfortable questions. Why do these rumors persist, despite a lack of evidence? What does the fixation on Meghan’s body reveal about our expectations of women, especially those in the public eye? And how much of this controversy is driven by genuine skepticism versus something darker, like prejudice or envy? The hospital dance video, cringe-worthy to some and endearing to others, has become a Rorschach test for how we view Meghan Markle—a woman who, love her or hate her, refuses to fade from the spotlight.

In the end, the “rubber baby bump” scandal may say more about us than it does about Meghan. As she continues to build her brand, from selling As Ever’s sold-out rosé to planning future collaborations with Lilibet, she remains a polarizing figure, adored by some and vilified by others. Whether the truth lies in a hospital room, a movie set, or somewhere in between, one thing is certain: Meghan Markle’s every move will keep the world watching, speculating, and arguing. And perhaps that’s the real plan all along.