Meghan Markle’s Instagram launch took millions of people around the world by surprise yesterday as she returned to the social media platform for the first time in years with a video of herself writing 2025 in the sand.
While some royal fans were delighted to see the Duchess of Sussex, 43, return to Instagram on a personal account under the handle @meghan, some experts have been quick to consider why she had made the decision to start the New Year in this way.
One royal expert, Richard Fitzwilliams, told The Daily Mail that the decision could be a last ditch attempt at success after both Meghan and Harry have faced some disappointing results with their previous work, including the cancellation of Meghan’s much-hyped Spotify podcast Archetypes and the more recent failure of their Netflix project Polo just last month.
This could have led to some anxiety for the couple, especially as their Netflix deal is set to expire this year.
Fitzwilliams said: “When Meghan carves 2025 on the sand, she knows high noon is coming as their contract with Netflix runs out this year and if it were not extended, it would be a disaster for them.”
Since stepping back from life in the Firm, Meghan and Harry have had to pave their own way financially, which has resulted in them making various deals including those with Spotify and Netflix.
The need to generate their own finance has also resulted in Meghan setting up her own lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchardlifestyle brand, which was first announced back in March last year.
Products are still yet to launch after Meghan faced various issues behind-the-scenes, including with the trademark and the recruitment process to find a CEO
It is believed products under the brand name are set to launch this year, along with a new Netflix show that will focus on lifestyle and cooking, with Meghan Markle at the centre.
Since the Instagram launch on New Years Day, royal fans have been divided on the new surprising move. On X, one supporter of Meghan wrote: “MEGHAN MARKLE IS BACK ON INSTAGRAM. Can’t wait to see what she has to share.”
Another said: “Happy New Year to Meghan Markle! So happy for her after everything she’s been through! Can’t wait to see her Instagram posts again!”
Other people have been less complimentary about the Instagram launch. One person wrote on X: “Wasn’t she pushing that social media was awful and didn’t she say she doesn’t go on social media?”
Another said: “I don’t understand how a woman can hold a title for a country that she won’t even step foot in anymore, let alone live there.”
Meghan has not posted any more content on the account since her launch video yesterday filmed at a beach near the couple’s Montecito mansion.
