After a five-year hiatus, Meghan Markle has returned to Instagram, marking her re-entry into the social media world with a reflective New Year's message and a promotional trailer for her upcoming Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.
The Duchess of Sussex’s reappearance on the platform immediately drew significant attention, amassing over one million followers in just 24 hours. However, despite this initial success, one royal commentator believes Meghan’s star power has dimmed compared to her days as a senior member of the British royal family.
Royal expert Jennie Bond offered her analysis in an interview with OK! magazine, emphasizing Meghan’s skill in public relations and strategic communication. “Meghan is very savvy when it comes to PR,” Bond observed. “Her enigmatic social media post did exactly what she intended—it got people talking about her next move. The simplicity and intrigue of her post were clever tactics to spark curiosity and keep her audience guessing about her plans for 2025.”
While her return has certainly generated buzz, Bond noted that Meghan has not achieved the record-breaking growth seen by other major celebrities on social platforms. “She hasn’t set any new records for gaining followers,” Bond continued, “and it’s clear she’s no longer the ‘megastar’ she once was during her time as a working royal. However, I have no doubt her following will continue to grow steadily over time.”
Discussing Meghan’s decision to rejoin Instagram, Bond characterized the move as both logical and necessary. “In today’s digital age, having a presence on social media is virtually unavoidable for public figures and businesses alike. Meghan’s return to the platform is a calculated and obvious step. Given predictions that each of her posts could potentially earn astronomical sums, it’s surprising that she waited this long to make a comeback.”
The Duchess of Sussex famously deleted her original Instagram account in 2018 before her marriage to Prince Harry, adhering to royal protocol that discouraged personal social media usage among senior royals. Since then, Meghan has been a vocal advocate against online harassment and cyberbullying, highlighting the negative impact of social media on mental health. Alongside Prince Harry, she co-launched initiatives aimed at protecting young people from the dangers of digital abuse, reinforcing her commitment to fostering a healthier online environment.
As Meghan embarks on this new chapter of her public persona, her ability to balance personal brand-building with advocacy will be closely watched by royal observers and fans alike. Whether her social media presence will match the influence she wielded as a member of the royal family remains to be seen, but her strategic reentry indicates she has not lost her touch for commanding public attention.
