Meghan Markle has recently treated fans to a nostalgic video featuring herself and Prince Harry dancing, captured by their daughter, Princess Lilibet. The heartwarming clip was shared on Meghan’s Instagram account on January 16, marking her first post of the New Year. The video is part of a popular social media trend where individuals juxtapose images or videos from 2016 with current moments in 2026.
The trend, known as ‘2026 being the new 2016,’ has gained traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. It celebrates the internet culture of the mid-2010s as a “golden age” and encourages users to relive the carefree spirit of that era in 2026. Meghan’s post captioned “When 2026 feels just like 2016…you had to be there” pays tribute to the trend, with a special mention of Princess Lilibet for filming the moment.
In the video, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen joyfully dancing barefoot on the grass, with Princess Lilibet looking on. Meghan disabled comments on the post, preventing fans from leaving their reactions. Alongside the video, Meghan also shared a throwback picture of her and Harry during a trip to Botswana in August 2016, commemorating their third date.
Celebrities like Mindy Kaling, Amy Schumer, Eva Longoria, and Hailey Bieber have also joined the trend, sharing their own nostalgic posts. Stacey Solomon, in her own Instagram post, humorously reflected on the passage of time, engaging with the trend’s sentiment.
However, not everyone is onboard with the trend. Helen McPherson, a TikTok influencer, criticized the trend as ‘stupid,’ arguing that for her, 10 years ago still feels recent and unchanged. She emphasized the negligible differences in her life and appearance between 2016 and now, highlighting everyday items that have remained constant over the years.
As the trend continues to captivate social media users, it sparks varied reactions and reflections on the passage of time and the significance of nostalgic moments.