Meghan Markle is getting dragged online after a brief interaction with a baby during her recent Australia trip sparked fresh comparisons to Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The moment happened during Meghan and Prince Harry’s visit to the Scar Tree Walk in Melbourne last month, where the couple met with members of the public while taking part in engagements tied to causes and projects important to them.
During the walk, one mother attempted to hand her baby to Meghan for a photo. However, the child appeared uncomfortable and clung tightly to its mother while the Sussexes posed for pictures.
After video of the interaction started circulating online, royal watchers immediately began comparing the moment to a separate viral interaction involving Princess Kate during a recent appearance in Reggio Emilia, Italy, where she warmly interacted with a baby in the crowd.
That comparison quickly exploded across social media, with critics accusing Meghan of appearing stiff and uncomfortable during the encounter.
One user wrote:
“For Catherine, it’s about the connection. For Meghan, it’s about herself.”
Another commenter piled on:
“She is the most unnatural person with children, I think I’ve ever seen.”
A third person specifically compared the body language between the two royal women.
“Princess Kate knows how to connect with the baby—smile, stroke the leg, play with the feet. Markle distances herself from the baby and is stiff and clearly uncomfortable.”
Still, not everyone blamed Meghan for the awkward moment. Some social media users defended her and instead questioned why the mother pushed for the interaction when the child was visibly distressed.
“Why the mum forced her child to be photographed? You can obviously see the child was stressed with this photo-op.”
The viral reaction comes during another busy stretch for Meghan and Harry following their recent Australia visit, which included meetings with Invictus Australia members, charity-related appearances, and several high-profile public engagements.
Meanwhile, comparisons between Meghan and Kate continue to dominate online royal discourse whenever clips from public appearances surface — especially involving fan interactions and family-oriented moments.
Bottom line: Meghan Markle’s brief interaction with a nervous baby during her Australia trip has now turned into another online debate comparing her public style to Princess Kate’s — and social media had plenty to say about it.
