Meghan Markle defended after being accused of 'staging' video with Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie

Meghan Markle has been fiercely defended by fans after being accused of 'staging' a video with her two children.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, took to Instagram on Wednesday (18 March) to share a series of behind-the-scenes snippets from a photoshoot promoting her As Ever brand, which her four-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie, six, adorably crashed.

The opening clip, which sees both children make a fleeting appearance, showed Meghan arranging some pretty bouquets of flowers on a table outside in the sun, asking someone offscreen: "Are you having fun, my love?"

The video then jumps ahead, seeing Archie dart into the frame, then straight back out.

The footage cut once again, showing Meghan laugh, saying 'Archie,' while a child’s voice calls 'Mum' in the background.

Then Lilibet walks into view before whispering something indiscernible into her mum's ear.

"Yes, I think you can. Let’s go, let’s go," Meghan replies, ushering her along as they run off together.

The following two photos showed Lilibet joining in with the arranging, while the third and final snap saw her sitting under the table as Meghan continued her arranging.

Meghan captioned the carousel post: "Mama’s little helpers. BTS of our shoot for @aseverofficial at our home."

'Our home' references Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry's home in Montecito, California, where they live with their two little ones.

The couple moved to the United States back in 2020 after stepping down as senior working royals.

It didn't take long for the anti-Meghan Markle brigade to rush to social media to share their outrage over the sweet post, with one seething: "Clearly staged and released for attention. We don't have royals in the US, nor do we want them. It is a British thing. Why the consistent, unending self-promotion?"

A second piped up: The constant staged, self-promotions are annoying. Can't blame everyone for being over her."

"Staged as usual," slammed another, and a final troll added: "Another staged moment."

Others, however, were far less pressed by the family snaps, with one fan gushing: "They are so adorable!"

"So sweet! I can't wait until we can see the children's faces. They are growing up so fast. Love you, Meghan!" beamed a second as a third chimed in: "Folks, most influencers stage photo shoots. No biggie, IMO."

Another added: "The amount of hate for this woman is incredible!!! Hardly ever a kind word for the wife and mother of two adorable children. I'm sorry they will have to grow and see all the hatred!"

And speaking directly to the haters, a final person wondered: "Why does it bother you so much? How does it affect your life in any way?"

Tyla has reached out to Meghan Markle's representatives for comment.