In a digital age where every post can ignite a global conversation, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has once again found herself at the epicenter of a social media storm. On a seemingly ordinary day in Montecito, California, Meghan shared a rare glimpse into her personal life: an ultrasound photo posted on her Instagram account, @meghan, which she relaunched in January 2025 after years of absence from the platform. The black-and-white image, presumably from one of her pregnancies, was meant to evoke nostalgia or perhaps hint at something new. But it was Prince Harry’s single, cryptic comment beneath the post that sent the internet into a tailspin, with fans and skeptics alike dissecting his words for clues about a rumored third child—and, shockingly, the identity of its father.

The Ultrasound That Broke the Internet

Meghan and Harry, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020, have carefully curated their public image since relocating to their 7.4-acre estate in Montecito. Their two children, Prince Archie, born in May 2019, and Princess Lilibet, born in June 2021, are rarely seen in public, with the couple prioritizing their privacy. Meghan’s return to Instagram marked a shift, offering controlled glimpses into their lives—think garden strolls with Archie and Lilibet, their faces often obscured, or Meghan whipping up strawberry preserves with Lili as a “taste taster.” These posts, while charming, are deliberate, reflecting the couple’s balance between privacy and selective publicity.

The ultrasound photo, however, was a bold move. Unlike the carefully staged family snapshots, this image was deeply personal, a throwback to the intimate moments of expecting Archie or Lilibet—or so fans assumed. Posted without a caption, the grainy sonogram invited speculation. Was it a nostalgic tribute to their parenting journey, as seen in their 2022 Netflix docuseries where they shared Archie’s ultrasound? Or was it a subtle announcement of a third pregnancy? The lack of context only fueled the fire, but it was Harry’s comment that truly set the post ablaze.

Harry’s Comment: A Single Sentence, Endless Theories

Beneath the ultrasound image, Harry left a comment that read, “Our little one’s got your spirit already.” On the surface, it seemed like a sweet nod to Meghan, perhaps referencing the fiery determination she’s known for. But the internet, ever eager for royal drama, saw more. The phrase “your spirit” sparked a flurry of interpretations. Was Harry implying the child inherited Meghan’s traits, confirming her as the mother? Or, in a wild leap, were some fans reading it as a hint that the father was someone else, with “your spirit” suggesting a connection to another figure? The ambiguity of the comment, combined with the couple’s history of facing baseless rumors, turned a simple sentence into a viral phenomenon.

Social media platforms, particularly X, exploded with reactions. Some users hailed Harry’s comment as a romantic gesture, with heart-eyes emojis flooding replies. Others, however, spun elaborate conspiracy theories, reviving old, debunked trolls’ claims about Meghan’s pregnancies. These theories, often rooted in misogyny and racism, have plagued Meghan since Archie’s birth, with some falsely questioning whether she carried her children. The ultrasound post, meant to be a moment of vulnerability, instead became a lightning rod for both adoration and vitriol.

The Third-Child Speculation: Fact or Fiction?

The buzz around a third child isn’t new. In early 2025, social media posts falsely claimed Meghan had given birth to a third baby, often accompanied by AI-generated images of her holding an infant. These claims were swiftly debunked, with no credible evidence supporting them. Similarly, during a May 2025 trip to Nigeria, Meghan’s red dress sparked rumors of a baby bump, but these too lacked substantiation. As of June 2025, Meghan and Harry remain parents to Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 3, with no confirmed plans for a third child.

Yet the ultrasound post reignited these rumors, with Harry’s comment adding fuel. If the photo was indeed new, it could suggest a pregnancy announcement, though the couple’s history suggests they’d handle such news differently—perhaps through a formal statement or a high-profile interview, as with Lilibet’s gender reveal during their 2021 Oprah interview. More likely, the ultrasound was a nostalgic share, possibly from Archie’s pregnancy, given Meghan’s recent posts celebrating milestones like their seventh wedding anniversary, which included a sonogram and baby bump photos.

The Couple’s Privacy Paradox

Meghan and Harry’s approach to sharing personal moments has always been a delicate dance. As working royals, they broke tradition by delaying Archie’s birth announcement and skipping the Lindo Wing photo-op, opting for a private reveal on their now-defunct @SussexRoyal account. After stepping back, they became even more protective, suing a photo agency in 2020 over unauthorized images of Archie and shutting down their Instagram. Meghan’s 2025 Instagram relaunch, with comments disabled to deter trolls, reflects this cautious re-engagement.

The ultrasound post, then, is a continuation of this strategy: sharing on their terms. By posting without a caption, Meghan invited curiosity but maintained control. Harry’s comment, whether intentional or not, shifted focus, highlighting the couple’s knack for sparking conversation. Their awareness of social media’s darker side—evidenced by their Archewell Foundation’s “No Child Lost to Social Media” campaign and the Lost Screen Memorial in April 2025—suggests they anticipated the reaction.

Public Reaction: Love, Hate, and Everything In Between

The public’s response to the post underscores the polarized lens through which Meghan and Harry are viewed. Fans celebrated the couple’s openness, with many praising Meghan’s strength in sharing such a personal image despite past online bullying, which she described as peaking during her pregnancies. Others, however, used Harry’s comment to fuel speculation, with some X posts joking about the “third child’s father” in a nod to tabloid fodder. These reactions echo the South Park parody of their “Worldwide Privacy Tour,” which mocked their privacy-publicity balance.

The frenzy also highlights broader issues of social media’s impact. Meghan and Harry have spoken candidly about online harm, with Harry noting in April 2025 that they’re “grateful” Archie and Lilibet are too young for social media. The ultrasound post, while a moment of connection, invited the kind of scrutiny they’ve long sought to avoid, raising questions about whether such shares are worth the cost.

What’s Next for the Sussexes?

As the dust settles, the ultrasound post and Harry’s comment will likely remain a talking point. Whether the image was a pregnancy hint or a sentimental throwback, it’s a reminder of the Sussexes’ ability to command attention. Their focus, however, remains on their family and philanthropy. Meghan’s recent ventures, like her Netflix show “With Love, Meghan,” and Harry’s legal battles over UK security, show a couple navigating their post-royal life with purpose.

For now, the third-child rumors are just that—rumors. Harry’s comment, while cryptic, is best read as a loving nod to his wife, not a clue to a scandal. The ultrasound post, like much of their public life, is a testament to their resilience in the face of relentless scrutiny. As Meghan once said at a 2024 SXSW panel, motherhood is “messy” but sacred, and she’s determined to protect her children—and herself. The world may speculate, but the Sussexes are writing their own story, one carefully curated post at a time.