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The Duchess of Sussex marked her return to social media with an unexpected twist as eagle-eyed followers spotted a revealing detail in her New Year's Instagram debut. Meghan, 43, launched her new account @meghan on January 2, 2025, with a candid beach video that quickly gained over 650,000 followers within 24 hours.
The 28-second clip, filmed by Prince Harry, shows Meghan running barefoot along a Montecito beach in an all-white ensemble, before writing "2025" in cursive on the sand. However, viewers noticed evidence of an earlier take – another "2025" visible in the sand as she passes by, suggesting multiple attempts at capturing the perfect moment.
Meta verified the account with its blue tick designation on Thursday, confirming the handle's authenticity. According to Meta's guidelines, verified badges are granted to accounts that demonstrate genuine activity and meet specific eligibility requirements.
The move marks a significant shift for the Duchess, who previously maintained a strict distance from social media platforms. In January 2018, following her engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan closed her personal accounts. A Kensington Palace source stated at the time, "Ms. Markle is grateful to everyone who has followed her social media accounts over the years, however as she has not used them for some time she has taken the decision to close them."
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggests this digital resurrection serves a strategic purpose. "This return to social media appears to be part of a broader strategy to control her public narrative and promote upcoming ventures, including her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard," he noted.
The account's creation dates back to June 2022, though it remained dormant until now. Industry experts predict substantial earning potential, suggesting Meghan could command upwards of $1 million per sponsored post, potentially positioning her among the world's top-earning influencers.
The handle @meghan itself has sparked interest, as single-name usernames are rare on Instagram. The platform typically operates on a first-come, first-served basis, though celebrities can sometimes acquire specific handles through official channels.
Beyond the staged nature of the beach video, the return to social media represents a notable departure from the couple's previous stance. In 2020, they cited "unsurvivable" online abuse as their reason for abandoning social platforms after stepping back from royal duties.
The account's profile now features a black-and-white photograph of Meghan in an elegant white dress, signaling what appears to be a carefully curated approach to her digital presence as she embarks on this new chapter of public life in America.
