Meghan Markle Returns to Instagram for 2025, Ending Five-Year Social Media Hiatus

Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, has marked the dawn of 2025 by reactivating her presence on social media, launching a new Instagram account after a notable five-year absence. The move signals a potential shift in her public engagement strategy, re-establishing a direct line of communication with a global audience.

A Digital Return on New Year’s Day

The Duchess’s return was announced on January 1 with the debut of a new Instagram profile. The inaugural post featured a brief video depicting Meghan running along a beach. In the clip, she is seen drawing the numerals “2025” in the sand, a symbolic gesture welcoming the new year and perhaps, her return to the digital sphere.

The video was filmed by her husband, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex. Sources indicate it was shot on a public beach near their residence in Montecito, California, where they reside with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Rapid Follower Growth and Initial Reaction

The re-emergence of the Duchess on the popular photo and video sharing platform immediately garnered significant attention. The newly established account experienced a rapid surge in popularity, accumulating nearly 700,000 followers within a relatively short period of its launch.

This swift accumulation of followers underscores the enduring global interest in the Duchess of Sussex and her activities, highlighting the potential reach of her direct online presence.

The Five-Year Hiatus Explained

The return concludes a five-year period during which Meghan largely withdrew from personal social media engagement. Her decision to step back from platforms like Instagram and Twitter coincided with her and Prince Harry’s decision to transition away from their roles as senior members of the British Royal Family in early 2020.

In past interviews and public statements, the Duchess has openly discussed the challenging experiences she faced on social media, citing concerns related to emotional harassment and relentless online trolling as significant factors influencing her decision to disengage from these platforms. Her previous digital presence, particularly before her marriage to Prince Harry, was substantial and included a personal connection with followers.

Prior Digital Presence: “The Tig” and Early Instagram

Before joining the Royal Family, Meghan Markle, then known for her role as an actress in the television series “Suits,” maintained a robust and personal online footprint. This included an Instagram account that boasted a substantial following of over three million users.

In addition to her personal social media, she also curated and ran a successful lifestyle blog titled “The Tig.” The blog covered a range of topics, including food, travel, fashion, and wellness, and allowed her to connect with her audience on a more personal level. Her decision to close “The Tig” and significantly reduce her social media activity upon her engagement to Prince Harry was seen at the time as a necessary step in preparation for her royal role.

Significance of the Return in 2025

The Duchess’s return to Instagram in 2025 is viewed by many as a strategic move. For public figures, particularly those operating outside traditional institutional frameworks, social media provides a powerful tool for shaping narrative, promoting initiatives, and engaging directly with supporters and the wider public.

This return could potentially serve as a platform to support ventures related to Archewell, the organization founded by the Duke and Duchess, which encompasses their non-profit foundation and production arms. It may also provide a vehicle for potential commercial partnerships or lifestyle-focused content, building upon the foundation established by her previous work with “The Tig.”

Given the challenges she previously faced online, observers will be keen to see how the Duchess chooses to manage her digital interactions and navigate the complexities of social media in this new phase. The re-establishment of her Instagram account signifies a deliberate step to reclaim a direct voice in the public arena as 2025 commences.