Honestly, if you had "the Duchess of Sussex twerking in a hospital room" on your 2025 royal bingo card, you’re probably lying.
But here we are.
The internet basically went into a meltdown when a clip of the Meghan Markle baby mama dance surfaced, showing a side of the royal family that is—to put it mildly—not exactly what you’d find in the Buckingham Palace archives. We aren’t talking about a stiff ballroom waltz or a polite clap at a garden party. This was full-on, rhythmic, "I’m overdue and I need this baby out now" energy.
It’s weirdly relatable. Anyone who has ever been 40 weeks pregnant and felt like they were carrying a literal bowling ball knows the desperation. You’ll try anything. Castor oil? Sure. Spicy curry? Bring it on. Dancing to a viral TikTok track while your husband—a literal Prince of the Realm—busts a move in the background?
Apparently, that’s the Sussex way.
The Story Behind the Meghan Markle Baby Mama Dance
So, where did this actually come from? On June 4, 2025, Meghan took to her Instagram to celebrate Princess Lilibet’s fourth birthday. Amidst the usual cute family photos, she dropped a bombshell: a throwback video from 2021.
In the clip, Meghan is seen in a sleek black dress, looking very pregnant and very ready to meet her daughter. She starts doing the "Baby Mama Dance," a trend popularized by the artist Starrkeisha. Then, out of nowhere, Prince Harry slides into the frame. He isn’t just standing there looking awkward; he’s fully committed, doing the "fingers" and dropping it low.
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Meghan’s caption explained the madness. Both Archie and Lilibet were a week past their due dates. She’d tried the spicy food. She’d tried the endless walking. She’d even tried acupuncture. Nothing worked. So, they turned to the Meghan Markle baby mama dance as a last-ditch effort to induce labor.
It worked. Lilibet arrived shortly after.
Why This Moment Actually Matters (Beyond the Twerking)
There’s a lot of "noise," as Meghan puts it, when it comes to her public image. Critics call her calculated; fans call her a breath of fresh air. But this video felt different. It felt human.
During an interview on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast in mid-2025, Meghan addressed the viral reaction. She pointed out that the footage was four years old, a private moment they finally felt comfortable sharing. "It’s a really great reminder that with all the noise or whatever people do, there’s still a whole life—a real, authentic, fun life—that’s happening behind the scenes," she told Grede.
The podcast host admitted she’d watched the video about 20 times, cheering for that "I don’t give a f***" attitude. And that’s the crux of why it resonated. For a long time, the royals were seen as mannequins. This video broke the glass.
The Backlash and the "Classless" Label
Of course, not everyone was cheering.
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The British tabloids and some royal commentators were less than thrilled. Reports surfaced suggesting that Buckingham Palace—specifically King Charles and Queen Camilla—were "horrified" by the display. Some critics labeled the Meghan Markle baby mama dance as "classless" or "tragic."
Even Piers Morgan chimed in with his usual brand of snark. But here’s the thing: the world has changed. The "stiff upper lip" is losing its grip on the younger generation. Seeing a father support his wife during a stressful, physically exhausting time by being a goofball isn’t classless. It’s actually pretty sweet.
Breaking Down the "Baby Mama" Trend
The song itself, Starrkeisha’s "The Baby Momma Dance," became a massive craze back in 2018 and saw a huge resurgence on TikTok around the time Meghan was pregnant with Lili.
The lyrics are simple: "If she a baby mama, she gonna do that baby mama." It’s an anthem for pregnant women to feel empowered and have a bit of fun with their changing bodies. By participating, Meghan wasn't just doing a random dance; she was tapping into a specific cultural moment that millions of other moms were sharing.
Does Dancing Actually Induce Labor?
You’re probably wondering if there’s any science to this or if it’s just an old wives' tale.
Medical experts, like those at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), generally agree that while there isn't a "magic dance move" that guarantees a baby will arrive, movement is good. Upright positions and pelvic movement—like swaying or "twerking"—can help the baby’s head engage with the cervix.
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It uses gravity. It helps the baby rotate. Plus, it releases endorphins and reduces stress, which is vital when you’re a week overdue and everyone is asking, "Is the baby here yet?"
- Gravity: Standing and moving helps the baby move down the birth canal.
- Oxytocin: Laughter and joy trigger the "love hormone," which is the same hormone that drives contractions.
- Distraction: It stops the mother from hyper-focusing on the discomfort of being overdue.
The Cultural Impact in 2026
Fast forward to early 2026, and the Meghan Markle baby mama dance has become a blueprint for how the Sussexes handle their "new" brand. They are leaning into the "unfiltered" lifestyle.
We saw it again recently when Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo recreated the dance on the Grand Staircase at Buckingham Palace. Even the official Royal Family Instagram account replied with a "We see you" and a wink emoji. It seems even the Palace is learning to play along with the viral nature of modern celebrity, whether they liked the original video or not.
Meghan is no longer just a "Royal." She’s a content creator, a brand founder (looking at you, As Ever), and a mom who clearly values her narrative control. Sharing a four-year-old video on her own terms was a power move.
What You Can Take Away From This
If you’re currently pregnant and staring at your calendar with a mix of dread and impatience, maybe put on a playlist.
The takeaway here isn't that you need to be a Duchess to have a viral moment. It’s that even in the highest stakes, most scrutinized environments, it’s okay to be a little bit "cringe" if it brings you joy.
Actionable Steps for Overdue Moms:
- Don’t fear the "cringe": If dancing to a silly song makes you laugh, do it. The endorphin rush is better for you than scrolling through stress-inducing news.
- Get your partner involved: Support comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s a foot rub; sometimes it’s Prince Harry doing "the fingers" in the background of a video.
- Move your hips: Whether it’s the Meghan Markle baby mama dance or just a slow sway, movement helps.
- Control your story: If you’re a public-facing person (or just have a lot of nosy relatives), share what you want, when you want. You don't owe anyone a play-by-play of your delivery room.
The Sussexes might be polarizing, but they’ve certainly proven that a little bit of rhythm (and a lot of twerking) can go a long way in humanizing a crown.
Check your local hospital's policy on filming before you try to recreate this in the delivery room!