Meghan Markle reignited her relationship with social media as she officially returned to Instagram on January 1, 2025, after five long years away from the platform. The Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from royal duties alongside her husband, Prince Harry, ushered in the New Year with her first post on her newly verified account, @meghan. The post features a playful video of Markle running joyfully on the beach, where she writes "2025" in the wet sand before giggling and jogging off camera, embodying the spirit of hope and new beginnings.
According to ABC News, this heartwarming clip was filmed by Harry at a public beach near their home in Montecito, California, where they currently reside with their children, Archie and Lilibet. Within hours of her return to the platform, Markle's account amassed nearly 700,000 followers, signaling her undiminished popularity. Despite the excitement surrounding her return, comments on the post were disabled, perhaps as a protective measure against online scrutiny.
Meghan's return to Instagram is particularly significant as it marks her first personal foray back on the platform since her original account was closed shortly before marrying Harry in May 2018. Back then, she enjoyed massive engagement and often shared glimpses of her life, including her beloved dogs and travel adventures. Her previous joint account, @sussexroyal, famously broke records for reaching one million followers faster than any account before it after they launched it in 2019. That account was eventually shuttered as the couple stepped down from royal duties.
This latest social media venture also coincides with the launch of Meghan's lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which she revealed on Instagram earlier this year through another account. Although this brand has yet to begin trading, it indicates Markle's desire to build her personal brand anew, using Instagram as her primary platform to communicate with fans and promote her entrepreneurial efforts.
Commenting on her past experience with social media after years of public life, Meghan has acknowledged the difficulties she faced, sharing sentiments about the online bullying she endured. Back on the Teenager Therapy podcast in 2020, she recounted how she was considered the most trolled person globally: "I was the most trolled person in the entire world, male or female." She has continuously highlighted the harsh realities of being under the social media microscope, especially as she faced targeted abuse during significant moments of her life, such as her pregnancies.
During various interviews, Meghan expressed her conviction about the damaging impact of social media on mental health and relationships, remarking, "If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all," emphasizing the incessant negativity she faced online. Her husband Harry has previously noted the potential benefits of social media, contrasting both sides' experiences and motivations: "Social media can offer... a means of connecting and community, which are vitally important to us as human beings." His reflections indicate the couple's complicated relationship with such platforms.
Notably, Meghan's return to Instagram has led to rumors and speculation concerning the dynamics of her marriage, particularly as some royal fans drew attention to the initial lack of formality in her profile name. Initially, her Instagram simply listed her first name before it was corrected to include her full title as "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex." Fans were quick to point out the royal protocol distinction, raising questions about any underlying relationship issues. Some noted, "No 'The' before Duchess of Sussex means she is a divorcee," drawing parallels to other royal women and their titles.
Despite the noise surrounding these speculations, Harry’s supportive presence is evident, as he filmed the affectionate video showcasing Markle at the beach. He previously laughed off rumors of their split and reinforced their bond, saying, "I feel genuinely sad for the trolls, whose hopes are just built and built, and it doesn’t happen.” Rather than retreating from public life completely, Meghan’s return to Instagram hints at her efforts to redefine her personal brand and forge her path forward.
With their Netflix project facing mixed reviews and speculation about dwindling interest, Meghan's Instagram comeback might bring renewed focus to both her and Harry's endeavors. Their lifestyle brand, coupled with the dramatic family portrait released with their 2024 holiday card, might signal new beginnings as they step out of the shadows of royal expectations.
Markle's latest post serves as more than just an invitation to share her life once more; it's also indicative of her resilience and refusal to be silenced by adversity. Watching how her social media presence evolves could provide insight not only to her personal aspirations but also how former royals navigate the pressures of public life.