The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is facing a wave of criticism after sharing a previously unseen video of herself dancing in a hospital delivery room just before giving birth to Princess Lilibet four years ago.
The video, posted on Instagram with the caption “Four years ago today, this also happened,” shows Meghan twerking and swaying to a viral 2018 TikTok trend.
She is seen wearing a sleeveless black summer dress and dancing around while proudly displaying her baby bump. Prince Harry also makes a brief appearance, rhythmically swaying and dancing in the background.
The clip, which lasts 81 seconds, was intended as a playful celebration of Lilibet’s birthday but instead triggered backlash, with many viewers questioning its appropriateness given Meghan’s status as a senior member of the Royal Family.
Charlotte Griffiths, Editor-at-Large at the Mail on Sunday and one of the UK’s leading royal experts, offered a particularly sharp critique.
“The problem with this video is everyone has forgotten about that moment in time a couple of years ago,” she said.
“So, without the TikTok hysteria going on at the time, it’s just beyond embarrassing.”
Griffiths, a mother of three, said she couldn’t imagine herself — or most mothers — engaging in such dance moves ahead of labour.
“When I was about to give birth, I was lying down, I was grumpy, I was very much stationary. This is crazy!”
Despite her criticism, she did offer a humorous compliment to Harry’s dance skills: “I will say though, Harry is in time with the music — which is surprising for a public schoolboy from Eton.”
The video reaches a crescendo as Meghan kneels, begins shaking her hips more vigorously, and appears to pull up her dress. Griffiths reacted strongly: “Oh my god, she’s getting down and dirty. That last bit – if she had just trimmed those few seconds – today’s hysteria wouldn’t have happened. It’s so raunchy. It’s no wonder the King has been worried over their HRH status, because this is very unbecoming of a member of the Royal Family.”
Griffiths questioned Meghan’s intentions: “I don’t know if this is some sort of self-sabotage or if she thought she was being kooky and like a fun baby mama. But I’m sorry, the rest of us did not dance like that in the birthing suite.
“What is it the TikTokkers say? ‘Felt cute. Might delete later. “I think Meghan should delete this one.”
In addition to the video, Meghan also shared two previously unseen photos of Princess Lilibet and Harry. One image shows father and daughter walking barefoot on a sunlit sandy path, while the other captures a tender moment between Harry and Lilibet as a baby.
While some fans praised the Duchess for being open and “real,” royal insiders say the timing and nature of the post have raised eyebrows, further widening the divide between the Sussexes and the Royal Family.