Meghan Markle is being mocked for cradling her baby bump: ‘She’s such an actress’

Meghan Markle is under fire from all angles, due to her father's controversial interviews, palace gossip pitting her against Kate Middleton, and even attacks from neo-Nazi groups. She's now angered her critics simply by rubbing her baby bump.

The duchess, who is due to give birth to her first child with Prince Harry in the spring, made a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards on Monday to present an award to Clare Waight Keller, the Givenchy designer who designed her wedding gown. Meghan, who was dressed in a slinky, one-shoulder black velvet Givenchy gown, lovingly put her two hands on her bump during the presentation.

Although it's a common gesture among pregnant women, Meghan's cradling move has irritated some trolls, who describe it as excessively posed and arrogant. A tweet comparing her to actress Demi Moore, who famously cradled her baby bump in the nude, was among the negative responses.

Cupping the bump? WHOB DOES THIS? #MeghanMarkle who the hell does she think she is #Madonna and child? Something VERY creepy going on in this woman's head pic.twitter.com/RL5LzMeIq3

— Treacle (@CallMeTreacle)

#MeghanMarkle holding on to that bump like someone's about to snatch it. pic.twitter.com/rNbNT02Sip

— Ioana (@Ioanaisabitch)

Seriously, no pregnant woman poses for photo like this. Ever. She's such an actress. #MeghanMarkle #duchessofsussex #BritishFashionAwards #actingup pic.twitter.com/fkbhPfiVTJ

— Jason Ashby (@Jashalee)

Khloé Kardashian received similar backlash during her pregnancy with True, leading the reality star to respond by saying she would “touch and love my bump as often as I choose,” adding that she had tried for a long time and wanted to enjoy the experience.

That's what there is to it. Meghan's frequent cradling also provided an opportunity for critics to point out another alleged transgression of hers, as it revealed her fashion-forward — and allegedly protocol-breaking — black nail polish.

Physical contact with her future child, dark nails… What would she do next, if she dares?