The Duchess of Sussex sparked debate with her latest posting spree on social media

07:43, Thu, Aug 6, 2026 Updated: 07:47, Thu, Aug 6, 2026

Meghan Markle dances around her kitchen on her birthday

Meghan Markle was criticised for her latest social media posting spree to mark her birthday. On Tuesday evening, the Duchess of Sussex, who turned 45, shared two black-and-white photos of herself jumping into a pool while holding birthday balloons.

They were accompanied by the message: “Thank you for the birthday love!” A while later, she shared two new videos on her Instagram stories, giving her fans a glimpse of her special day. Meghan was seen dancing around her kitchen in Montecito, California, next to a kitchen island with huge happy birthday balloons.

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Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle was criticised by a royal expert (Image: Getty)

She was barefoot and dressed casually in white pyjamas consisting of white trousers and an oversized t-shirt featuring the words: “It’s giving Mrs.”

Prince Harry, who most likely recorded the video, could be heard in the background laughing and saying, “Oh dear.”

But the video sparked backlash from royal watchers and fans alike, who described it as “cringe” and “embarrassing” on social media.

Now, a royal commentator has weighed in on the motive behind Meghan’s posting.

Journalist Phil Dampier told The Sun: “They’re always a bit contrived, aren’t they?”

“When you see these pictures of hers, they’re always very, very contrived. You’re always very controlled.

Meghan Markle dances around her kitchen on her birthday

Meghan Markle dances around her kitchen on her birthday (Image: Instagram/@meghan)

“I don’t know what message she’s trying to send out with her, just that she’s carefree and having a great time, I suppose.”

Elsewhere, Mr Dampier touched down on Meghan’s unpopularity with the British public, despite her recent trip to the UK last month.

He said: “All this business about the security, I think, was a bit of a smoke screen,” he said.

“But I don’t think it changes the fundamentals over here. I don’t think she’s popular with the public. I don’t think she’d go down very well if she met members of the public.”

A new poll by YouGov, commissioned right after the Sussexes’ trip to the UK earlier this month, showed that despite Meghan’s quiet appearance in Britain, its residents still hold a particularly unfavourable view of her.

The survey, conducted between July 21-22 among 2,063 Brits and published today, showed that only two out of 10 of them have a favourable view of the duchess.

YouGov’s survey revealed that only 22% of Britons see Meghan in a positive light, relative to two-thirds (65%) holding an unfavourable opinion of the former Suits actress.