‘Meghan Markle’s calculated timing of Instagram move speaks volumes about game-changing year’

Exclusive:

Many were surprised to see Meghan Markle’s return to Instagram coincide with the very start of 2025 – and one PR expert believes there is a calculated move behind this with the next 12 months potentially being make or break for the Duchess

Meghan Markle’s return to Instagram on New Year’s Day certainly set tongues wagging – and the timing was very deliberate, according to an expert.

Her eagerly-awaited first post on the platform under her new @meghan handle came on January 1 with a carefree Instagram reel video filmed by Prince Harry, showing the duchess running on the beach and writing 2025 in the sand.

It is believed Meghan set up the account in June 2022 and in the summer of 2023, speculation hit fever pitch about her Insta return after sleuths found an account with the @meghan handle with a profile picture showing pink peonies, Meghan’s favourite flower. However, in the past few months, both Meghan and Harry have railed against the use of social media, slamming tech companies for not doing enough to protect children online.

But according to PR and personal brand expert Mayah Riaz, Meghan’s Instagram return makes total sense for her business ventures – and the timing of the relaunch was very telling. The expert told the Mirror: “Meghan Markle ’s return to Instagram is a carefully curated move that signifies she is reclaiming her narrative. She created her account in June 2022, which indicates a long-term strategy for a re-emergence. I believe that the timing of her return suggests a deliberate attempt to position herself as relatable, approachable, and taking control of her image.

“By using a casual, beachside setting and writing ‘2025’ in the sand, she not only captures attention but also hints at a fresh chapter and a forward-looking narrative.

“Regarding her posting on January 1, it is likely that Meghan waited for a moment when she could generate maximum impact. It is possible she tied her comeback to the platform to new personal or professional ventures in 2025. This is a calculated effort by Meghan to start the year with momentum, signalling a fresh chapter in her narrative.

“It is also worth stating that Meghan’s recent focus on stepping into entrepreneurial ventures may require her to cultivate a direct connection with audiences. This is exactly what Instagram offers – a platform to do just that. She is able to bypass traditional media and ensure her voice isn’t filtered or misinterpreted. By returning now, I believe she has capitalised on the reflective and aspirational energy of a new year, enticing followers to anticipate her next moves.”

Meghan previously had a very successful Instagram account before meeting Harry, where she shared snippets of her life. She ran it alongside her lifestyle blog The Tig, which she also closed in 2017.

And Mayah believes that given the launch of the new account, it appears that 2025 is shaping up to be a crunch year for Meghan and that an Instagram account is a “smart choice” for her. She explained: “2025 could be quite a pivotal year for Meghan. We have seen that public interest in her and Harry has fluctuated, and this year may determine how effectively she can rebuild her personal brand, particularly after mixed responses to previous projects.

“A strong, positive Instagram presence could be key in shaping her narrative moving forward. A return to Instagram allows her to control her narrative directly, bypassing traditional media criticism. It will be important for her to have the ability to strike a balance between relatability and aspiration.

“Instagram is definitely a great move for Meghan. She has always been an influential digital storyteller, and Instagram provides a platform to craft her own narrative free from external distortion. In her post yesterday, she has disabled comments. This is a smart choice, allowing her to focus on engagement through likes, shares, and storytelling rather than divisive debates in the comment section.

“Instagram also aligns with her demographic of millennial and Gen Z followers who value authenticity and direct connection. If she successfully balances personal moments with advocacy, she has the potential to solidify her role as a modern thought leader and influencer in the digital space. I’d say this is a strategic and potentially game-changing decision for her personal brand.”