The pair, who tied the knot in 2018, have long been viewed as boundary-pushers when it comes to their very public romance.
From the start, their relationship attracted intense scrutiny. Tabloid headlines erupted when it emerged that Harry, now 41, was marrying a divorced woman — a detail that caused no shortage of pearl-clutching. Matters escalated further when the couple reportedly felt mistreated by senior members of the Royal Family, ultimately leading them to step back from official royal duties altogether.
A Break From Tradition
Their decision marked a dramatic departure from royal protocol, particularly when Meghan, Harry, and their son Prince Archie — now six — relocated from the UK to sun-soaked Montecito, California. There, they later welcomed their daughter, four-year-old Lilibet.
Since distancing themselves from royal life, the Sussexes have also embraced social media. Meghan, in particular, regularly shares lifestyle content and glimpses of family life that feel far removed from the Palace’s traditionally reserved image.
Despite past criticism, the couple appear to have little intention of reverting to royal norms any time soon.
The Video That Sparked Debate
Earlier this week, Meghan uploaded a video to social media that quickly caught attention, showing Harry’s hands wandering playfully toward her backside.
The compilation was shared on the former Suits actress’s Instagram Stories on Friday (16 Jan) and was reportedly filmed by their daughter. One clip shows the couple dancing together on the lawn of their luxurious California home.
As Harry reaches for his wife, he seemingly forgets the camera is rolling and cheekily places his hand on the Duchess’s behind.
Other moments in the video include Prince Archie admiring a rhino during a visit to a local zoo, Meghan, 44, interacting with a nearby giraffe, and a colorful shopping list that appears to have been written by Lilibet.
Public Reaction: Praise and Nostalgia
Unsurprisingly, the intimate moment triggered mixed reactions online. However, the majority of viewers seemed delighted by the candid display, praising the couple for appearing just like any other affectionate husband-and-wife duo.
Reacting on Reddit, one user wrote: “Harry is a menace, Lilibet voice, Doria singing, Lilibet veggies shopping list, amazing. I love rota and royalist are going crash hard.”
Another commented: “Aww Lili and her Grandma in the pool living their best lives. Her parents dancing and her dad getting carried away. And Archie (and his gorgeous head of Auburn hair) feeding the rhino. Adorable little family.”
A third added: “I love how he was so in the moment and tried to grab her butt and she had to grab his hand.”
One user even drew a personal comparison, saying: “Reminds me of my parents dancing in the kitchen. My Dad would always grab my Mom’s butt like that.”
More Intimate Moments Shared
Later that same Friday, Meghan shared a black-and-white version of the affectionate video, followed by a third clip showing her and Harry embracing in a pond. The footage is believed to have been taken during their trip to Botswana — their first holiday together a decade ago.
Harry famously persuaded the future Duchess to join him on the trip just weeks after they met on a blind date.
These videos formed part of a viral 2016-style trend, with Meghan captioning the post: “When 2026 feels just like 2016….you had to be there.”
