NEW YORK (AP) — Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, marked the new year with her return to Instagram after a five-year absence, launching her personal account @meghan with a minimalist black-and-white beach video.
The account, verified by the Associated Press, shows the Duchess writing “2025” in beach sand under overcast skies. Within hours of its launch, the account attracted over 200,000 followers, signaling strong public interest in her social media revival.
This marks Meghan’s first personal Instagram presence since 2020, when she and Prince Harry discontinued their @SussexRoyal account following their departure from official royal duties. The couple had previously shared the @KensingtonRoyal account with Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, before establishing their independent social media presence in 2019.
The return fulfills Meghan’s 2022 hint to New York Magazine’s The Cut about her planned Instagram comeback. However, her reentry comes with past concerns about social media’s impact. Throughout 2023, she and Prince Harry advocated for stricter content moderation policies, highlighting concerns about online harassment and mental health effects, particularly on younger users.
Before joining the royal family in 2018, Meghan maintained an active Instagram presence during her acting career, notably while starring in “Suits.” Her new account represents a significant step in reclaiming her digital voice while balancing privacy concerns with public engagement.
