On June 4, 2025, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, shared a throwback video on Instagram to celebrate her daughter Princess Lilibet’s fourth birthday. The clip, filmed in a hospital room in 2021, showed a heavily pregnant Meghan dancing to Starrkeisha’s viral song “The Baby Momma Dance” in an attempt to induce labor. Prince Harry, her husband, joined in with playful dance moves of his own. Captioned with a lighthearted explanation that spicy food, walking, and acupuncture had failed to kickstart labor, Meghan presented the video as a fun, personal moment from a challenging time. However, what was intended as a nostalgic and relatable post quickly spiraled into a global controversy, reigniting baseless conspiracy theories about her pregnancies and drawing sharp criticism from royal watchers and social media users alike. This article explores the video’s impact, the conspiracy theories it has fueled, the public’s polarized reactions, and the broader implications for Meghan and Harry’s public image.

The Video That Shocked the World

The 80-second video begins with Meghan, dressed in a black maternity gown and accessorized with a cannula, swaying her hips and twerking next to a hospital bed. She lifts her skirt slightly, wiggles low, and cradles her baby bump while lip-syncing to the upbeat track. Prince Harry, wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up, enters the frame, performing what many have described as “dad-level” dance moves, including robotic arm gestures. The couple’s chemistry is evident, with Harry gazing at Meghan affectionately as they share the lighthearted moment. Meghan’s caption explained that both of their children, Archie and Lilibet, were born a week past their due dates, leading her to try unconventional methods to induce labor.

The video was part of a series of posts celebrating Lilibet’s birthday, which included black-and-white photographs of Meghan and Harry with their daughter. One image showed Meghan cuddling Lilibet on a boat, while another captured Harry holding the newborn in 2021. These intimate glimpses into their family life were meant to mark a joyful milestone, but the twerking clip overshadowed the sweeter moments, sparking a firestorm of reactions online.

The Conspiracy Theories Resurface

Almost immediately, the video reignited long-standing conspiracy theories that Meghan faked her pregnancies with both Archie, now six, and Lilibet, now four. These theories, which first emerged in 2019 before Archie’s birth, claim that Meghan wore a prosthetic “Moonbump” to simulate pregnancy while allegedly using a surrogate to carry her children. Social media platforms like X, YouTube, and Reddit became hotbeds for these claims, with users scrutinizing the video for supposed evidence. Some argued that Meghan’s ability to dance energetically while nine months pregnant was “superhuman” and unnatural, suggesting her bump was not real. Others claimed the bump appeared “too high” or “the wrong shape,” with a few even alleging the video was filmed on a set or generated by AI.

These accusations are not new. In 2019, tabloid media and online trolls mocked Meghan for cradling her bump during public appearances, fueling speculation that she was hiding a prosthetic. More recently, a May 2025 Instagram post celebrating her seventh wedding anniversary included an ultrasound image and a bare-bump photo, which conspiracy theorists dismissed as “shiny” or staged. The twerking video, however, provided fresh fodder for these narratives, with comments like “Even a blind person can see the poorly stuffed belly is fake” circulating on X. Despite the lack of credible evidence, the theories persist, driven by a mix of skepticism about Meghan’s public persona and distrust in an era where AI-manipulated media is increasingly common.

Experts have debunked these claims repeatedly. Pregnancy varies widely among women, and Meghan’s confined weight gain or energetic movements do not indicate a fake bump. Jessica Jennings, a prenatal yoga expert, notes that hip-swaying dances can prepare the pelvis for labor and that every pregnancy belly is unique. Additionally, extended labor can lead to unpredictable behavior, as Meghan herself hinted in her caption. Yet, the conspiracy theories highlight a deeper issue: the intense scrutiny faced by public figures, particularly women, during pregnancy.

Public Reaction: Polarized and Passionate

The public’s response to the video has been sharply divided, reflecting Meghan and Harry’s polarizing status. Critics, particularly royal traditionalists, branded the video “cringe-worthy” and “unroyal,” arguing it undermined the couple’s previous demands for privacy. Commentators like Amanda Platell and Sarah Vine pointed out the irony of sharing such an intimate moment after years of legal battles against the British press over media intrusion. On X, users expressed disgust, with one writing, “Get the vomit bag, Meghan Markle just posted herself hiking her dress and twerking her butt to the camera in labor. This is just disgusting!” Others questioned the timing, suggesting the video was a calculated move to garner attention amid the launch of Meghan’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.

Conversely, supporters praised Meghan’s authenticity and defiance. Christopher Bouzy, founder of Bot Sentinel, mocked detractors on X, saying, “Meghan dropped this video, and the haters are spiraling like they just found out their tinfoil hats don’t get Wi-Fi.” Fans celebrated her willingness to embrace her personality, with one user noting, “I can’t help but grin and giggle at this video. It’s so human.” Royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop called the clip “Instagram magic,” applauding Meghan’s ability to surprise and outmaneuver her critics. For many, the video was a bold statement against the trolls who have questioned her pregnancies, with some interpreting it as a humorous rebuttal to the “Moonbump” theories.

The debate also touched on cultural differences. In the U.S., where Meghan and Harry have lived since 2020, the video was seen by some as a relatable, Hollywood-esque moment, aligning with trends of celebrities sharing candid content. In the UK, however, it was viewed as a departure from royal decorum, with comparisons to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s reserved demeanor. This transatlantic divide underscores the couple’s ongoing struggle to balance their royal heritage with their new, independent identities.

Implications for Meghan and Harry’s Public Image

The twerking video has reignited discussions about Meghan and Harry’s relationship with privacy and publicity. Since stepping down as working royals in 2020, the couple has pursued a delicate balance: seeking control over their narrative while engaging with the public through projects like Netflix shows, memoirs, and social media. The video, while polarizing, aligns with this strategy, showcasing their personal lives on their terms. However, it also risks alienating those who view their actions as hypocritical, given their past criticisms of media overexposure.

For Meghan, the video may have been an attempt to reclaim her narrative. The persistent “Moonbump” theories, which question her motherhood, are deeply personal attacks. By sharing the twerking clip, she may have aimed to humanize herself, showing vulnerability and humor in a moment of physical and emotional intensity. Yet, as some analysts note, the move has backfired in part, providing conspiracy theorists with more material and fueling accusations of attention-seeking.

The video also highlights the challenges of navigating fame in the digital age. In an era of deepfakes and AI-generated content, even authentic moments can be twisted to fit harmful narratives. Meghan’s defenders argue that she has reached a point of indifference to her critics, focusing instead on her supporters and her growing media empire. Her Netflix series, recently renewed for a second season, and her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, suggest a shift toward creative control and entrepreneurship.

Conclusion

Meghan Markle’s twerking video, meant as a joyful tribute to her daughter’s birth, has instead become a lightning rod for controversy, exposing the complexities of her public life. The clip has fueled baseless conspiracy theories, sparked fierce debates about privacy and propriety, and highlighted the cultural divide between her American and British audiences. While critics decry her actions as “cringe” and “unroyal,” supporters see a woman unapologetically embracing her individuality in the face of relentless scrutiny. As Meghan and Harry continue to carve out their post-royal path, the video serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in controlling their narrative in a hyper-connected, skeptical world. Whether viewed as a misstep or a masterstroke, the “Baby Momma Dance” has ensured that the Sussexes remain at the center of global conversation.