Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle is criticized for cuddling her non-existent baby bump because everyone already knows that she's pregnant. Pictured: Meghan Markle seen walking holding baby bump during the 'Walkabout' on Oct. 30, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Getty Images/Chris Jackson

Meghan Markle recently received intense backlash from royal fans for always cuddling her baby bump.

Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they are expecting their first child together. The announcement was made when they landed in Sydney. Markle is already a few months along. Her baby bump is still not obvious, but she keeps on cradling it, which didn't sit well with some of the fans and critics, Nicholas Bieber of Daily Star reported.

"Am I the only person kinda over Meghan Markle touching and rubbing all over her baby belly?! We all know your preggers girl give it a break..... " Alexandria Sarchione wrote on Twitter.

"I'm a #MeghanMarkle fan but seeing a lot of photos of her holding/touching/cradling her #BabyBump is just #TooMuch," another user wrote.

"When I've only seen a couple of photos of #KateMiddleton holding her baby bump in ALL of her THREE PREGNANCIES. #WeGetTheIdea you're pregnant," the same user added.

Another user accused Markle of being fake and for seeking the public's attention. "Sick of the sight of Meghan Sparkle touching that non existent baby bump in every picture! #Embarrassing #AttentionSeeking #Fake," Jennifer wrote.

While others are sick of Markle for alway cradling her baby bump, an expert spoke out why expectant mothers usually do this. According to Lesley Gilchrist, co-founder of My Expert Midwife this is a natural impulse that women feel no matter what the size of their bump is.

"Although most women will start to feel their baby move by around 18-20 weeks, some women may feel this sooner," Gilchrist explained to Daily Mail. "Flutterings are the first sensations that are felt. However gas movement through the gut feels similar and this may cause an instinctive, involuntary touching of the stomach."

"It’s not uncommon for women at a similar stage to the Duchess of Sussex to feel those sensations," the expert continued. "Those feelings of your baby moving are extremely special for women. It is such an amazing time."

Gilchrist added that during a pregnancy there are many reflexes and primitive instincts than an expectant mom feels. In addition, many women are not aware that "they are instinctively 'guarding' their baby."

RELATED STORIES