Meghan Markle surprised many by rejoining Instagram in early 2025, a platform she had previously described as a “dark space.” This move marked a significant shift in her relationship with social media, which has been complex and often fraught with challenges.
Meghan’s return wasn’t entirely unexpected. She had hinted at a comeback in a 2022 interview with The Cut. Her first post on January 1st, a beachside video filmed by Prince Harry, quickly garnered attention. A subsequent post on January 2nd teased her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. A source close to the Duchess revealed she is “excited” to use Instagram to spread positivity and share updates on her projects. This aligns with the Archewell Foundation’s mission to foster a more compassionate digital world.
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Meghan’s history with social media is marked by both engagement and withdrawal. Before marrying Prince Harry, she had a thriving Instagram account with 3 million followers and a popular blog, The Tig. However, she closed both in the lead-up to her royal wedding in 2018. This decision reflected the significant life changes she was undergoing.
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As working royals, Harry and Meghan initially shared the @KensingtonRoyal Instagram account with Prince William and Kate Middleton. However, the lack of autonomy over their own messaging frustrated the couple. In 2019, they launched their own platform, @SussexRoyal, which rapidly gained a massive following. The account’s distinct style, including American spellings and emojis, suggested Meghan’s significant involvement in its content creation. This was later confirmed in the biography Finding Freedom, which revealed Meghan drafted many of the early posts herself.
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Following their departure from royal duties in 2020, the couple deactivated @SussexRoyal. Their final post emphasized their commitment to global well-being and hinted at future endeavors. Despite being inactive, the account remains online, preserving their past posts.
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Meghan has been outspoken about the negative aspects of social media. In 2020, she revealed on the Teenager Therapy podcast that she was the “most trolled person in the entire world” in 2019, enduring “almost unsurvivable” online abuse. She has also spoken about the importance of online safety and the need for a more positive digital environment.
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Meghan’s return to Instagram signals a new chapter in her public life. It remains to be seen how she will navigate the platform and what impact her presence will have on the online landscape. However, her commitment to fostering a more positive and compassionate digital world suggests she intends to use her platform for good.
