Meghan Markle Leaves Fans Confused After Claiming Daughter Lilibet Filmed Her Latest Cheeky Video

A sweet family moment meant to charm followers has instead stirred a wave of online scepticism — all thanks to one surprising credit.

On January 17, 2026, Meghan Markle surprised her followers with a post that blended romance, nostalgia, and a touch of cheek — but it was one unexpected detail that left many scratching their heads.

The Instagram post, captioned, "When 2026 feels just like 2016....you had to be there. 🎥 cred: our daughter," opened with a black-and-white video of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex dancing together in the garden.

With Meghan in a fitted white top and cream mini-shorts and Prince Harry in a loose T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, the couple twirled barefoot on the grass, wrapped in each other's arms and visibly enjoying the moment.

While some might interpret the caption as tongue-in-cheek, others saw it as yet another example of what they perceive to be curated inauthenticity from the Sussexes.

In one playful beat, the Duke cheekily grabbed his wife's bottom — a bold gesture that underscored the clip's flirtatious tone. The footage was light-hearted and affectionate, and the Duchess's caption credited the video to "our daughter," sparking a flurry of confusion, disbelief, and criticism across social media.

Viewers of the video questioned how Princess Lilibet, who turned four last June, could have possibly filmed the video herself. From the height of the frame to the steadiness of the camera, many were quick to voice their doubts.

"Does anyone actually believe a 4 year old filmed that. Come on it would be tilted upwards and shaking. Just more BS lies from the grifters [sic]," said one person. "If anyone really believes that a 4 year old held this 'steady camera', I have oceanfront real estate to sell you… in Iowa…." shared another.

A third person commented, "Is Lilly 5 feet all [sic]. Look at the camera height and angle," while a fourth typed, "And we all believe a 4 year old took these shots 😂😂😂." "C'mon !!! A 4 yrs old filming that way … [sic]," said one netizen, and another simply noted, "Cute video clip, but there's no way it was done by a 4-year-old child."

The chorus of scepticism dominated the conversation, with many arguing that the technical execution of the footage — from composition to tracking — pointed to someone far older behind the camera.

While some might interpret the caption as tongue-in-cheek, others saw it as yet another example of what they perceive to be curated inauthenticity from the Sussexes.

Still, amid the backlash, the video did succeed in showcasing a rare candid moment between the Duke and Duchess, who, despite ongoing public scrutiny, continue to share glimpses of their private life on their own terms.

As for the second slide in the post, it only deepened the intrigue as it was a sun-soaked image of the couple standing knee-deep in water, embracing in front of a vast golden field.

Taken in vivid colour, the photograph echoed the tone of their early courtship, seemingly inviting followers into a moment of private bliss.

Whether Princess Lilibet truly filmed the video or not remains beside the point for some — but for others, the truth, or lack thereof, has become yet another flashpoint in the couple's ever-divisive relationship with the public.

This is not the only time the couple has made headlines as of late. The Duchess of Sussex attempted to spread some holiday cheer on December 19, 2026, posting a sweet Christmas card on Instagram featuring her family — but instead of festive goodwill, the post sparked an avalanche of criticism and conspiracy theories.

Set in a lush garden with sunlight filtering through the trees, the photo shows Meghan and Prince Harry standing on a quaint wooden bridge with their two children.

The Prince is seen cradling son Prince Archie's face with a tender smile, while Meghan leans toward daughter Princess Lilibet, holding her hands affectionately. "Happy Holidays! From our family to yours," the caption read.

Just days after the card was posted, Page Six reported that Prince Harry and Meghan's charity was quietly unraveling behind the scenes.

But what should have been a touching holiday moment quickly turned sour as critics honed in on one detail — the little princess's hair. Within minutes of the post going live, social media lit up with pointed comments aimed at the toddler's hair.

"Brush that child's hair," one netizen snapped. "Why does the little girl's hair always look so unkempt!" another chimed in. "Those poor kids, why do they always look so scruffy😔 Actually they all look scruffy in this pic!" a third echoed. But the backlash didn't stop there.

One critic took aim at Meghan's fashion, accusing her of vanity in the family shot, "Meghan approved see thru dress [sic]." Others questioned the authenticity of the entire photo, accusing the couple of doctoring the image.

"The photoshop on Harry's head!!!! 😂" one netizen wrote, while another alleged, "Something strange about this picture. It's AI."

The photo controversy couldn't have come at a worse time. Just days after the card was posted, Page Six reported that Prince Harry and Meghan's charity was quietly unraveling behind the scenes.

Public records also reveal that Archewell's expenses have surged while donations have dropped — a troubling trend for an organization once hailed as the Sussexes' flagship project post-royal life.

According to insiders, the couple's Archewell Foundation has been reduced to just two employees, with 60 percent of the staff — three members — let go ahead of its upcoming rebrand as Archewell Philanthropies. A source told the outlet:

"Harry and Meghan have been forced to downsize the staff as it was costing them so much."

The report claims the pair spent months debating the charity's viability and even considered closing it down entirely or handing it off to another organization.

"The big question was, would Archewell close, or would another charity take it over?" the insider added. "Harry and Meghan were looking to get a fiscal sponsor, someone to take on the outgoing costs and to keep things cheap. Really, it's all smoke and mirrors."

Although the Sussexes have attempted to paint the rebrand as a step toward "flexibility," sources remain deeply skeptical about the charity's financial health.

"If they're shooting out grants, then that's a net loss and they're not bringing in that much money," said one source, referencing the £1 million in grants handed out in 2024.

Public records also reveal that Archewell's expenses have surged while donations have dropped — a troubling trend for an organization once hailed as the Sussexes' flagship project post-royal life. However, a spokesperson for the couple insisted:

"Currently, the same full team remain in place. This move does mean that some staff redundancies are inevitable, particularly with junior admin roles."

Still, the stark contrast between the public messaging and internal downsizing has left critics accusing the couple of yet another PR smoke screen.

Despite the onslaught of negativity, however, Meghan hasn't gone quiet. She followed up her Christmas card with a new Instagram post on Monday, 22 December, sharing her favourite holiday songs. The update came hot on the heels of her recently released holiday special for her Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan."

In the end, despite what people say, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear unfazed. They continue to share glimpses of their world on their own terms — focused on their family, their future, and the life they're building far from palace walls.