Is this what fans can expect from Meghan Markle’s new Instagram account? From politics to tributes to Prince Harry, the posts that made up the Duchess’ previous page
Meghan Markle made a dramatic return to Instagram today after posting her first clip to her new account, titled @meghan.
In the footage, filmed by Prince Harry, Duchess of Sussex, 43, he can be seen walking towards a shoreline on the beach at Montecito.
She then draws the numbers of the new year – 2025 – in the sand, perhaps indicating an upcoming project.
Experts previously predicted Meghan could rake in $1million (£790,000) per post as ‘a bare minimum’. They also expected her to become one of the ten highest-paid influencers in the world by launching her account.
The return to Instagram comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex vowed never to return to social media after claiming they suffered an “almost insurmountable” amount of abuse.
Her old Instagram page titled Meghanmarkle, which had three million followers, contained posts that were often personal and even political.
So what can royal fans expect from the mother of two now that she’s back on social media?
Here, FEMAIL takes a look at what Meghan posted on social media before she married into the British royal family – to get an idea of what she might post now that she and Harry have moved and settled in California.
The actress accidentally dropped another hint about her rumored relationship with the prince by posting a photo of herself wearing a blue and white bracelet that is almost identical to the one the royal family wore in 2016.
When Meghan was first rumored to be dating Prince Harry, the Suits actress posted an adorable photo of two bananas with animated faces.
Under the image of the anthropomorphic fruits hugging each other, Meghan wrote: “Sleep well xx.”
At the time, many interpreted this post as a nod to the couple and their long-distance relationship.
The actress accidentally dropped another hint about her rumored relationship with the prince by posting a photo of herself wearing a blue and white bracelet – almost identical to the one the royal family wore in 2016.
The bracelet appeared in several of the star’s Instagram posts, including a photo of a beautiful bouquet of pink flowers.
Meghan may offer her followers more insight into her relationship with Prince Harry on her new Instagram page.
All of Meghan’s old posts were available to view under the username meghanmarkle, but this account was deactivated in 2018
When Meghan was first rumored to be dating Prince Harry, the Suits actress posted an adorable photo of two bananas with animated faces. Underneath the photo of the anthropomorphic fruits hugging each other, Meghan wrote: “Sleep well xx”
The bracelet appeared in several of the star’s Instagram posts, including a photo of a beautiful bouquet of pink flowers
In another post, Meghan marked her spot at the United Nations where she gave a speech.
She wrote that she was “thrilled” to be placed close to Hillary Clinton — whose seat is just out of view.
In a particularly personal post, Meghan shared a screenshot of her father’s glowing review of the legal drama Suits.
Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, she played the role of Rachel Zane on the critically acclaimed show between 2011 and 2018.
In one of her previous posts, Meghan takes a photo of a protester after the Brexit vote.
Their cardboard sign reads: ‘If the EU leaves me now, you will take away most of me’.
It’s not good practice for a member of the royal family to share their political beliefs – but since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no longer working royals, Meghan can take the opportunity to share her views with her followers again.
In another post, Meghan marked her spot at the United Nations where she gave a speech
In a particularly personal post, Meghan screenshots her father’s glowing review of the legal drama Suits
In one of her previous posts, Meghan takes a photo of a protester after the Brexit vote. Their cardboard sign reads: ‘If the EU leaves me now, you will take away most of me’
On her now-deleted accounts, Meghan enjoyed sharing more personal moments with her followers.
In one photo, she is seen watching two children playing on a grand staircase, describing the youngsters as her “fairy goddaughters.”
The children’s mother is Meghan’s friend Benita Litt.
Now that Meghan has two children of her own, fans are no doubt hoping for an insight into their life in Montecito on her new Instagram account.
Meghan treated her previous account almost as if it were a scrapbook of her life and also posted poetry.
One poem – by American poet Tyler Knott Gregson, who is famous for writing Japanese haiku – reads: “You rolled from below, you rest on top of me.
“You’re the only person on earth who can turn me on just by breathing,” I mumbled into the tip of your hair.”
The verse was shared on Meghan’s page in 2014 – two years before she reportedly met Prince Harry.
One poem – by American poet Tyler Knott Gregson, who is famous for writing Japanese haiku – reads: “You rolled from below, you rest on top of me. “You’re the only person on earth who can turn me on just by breathing,” I mumbled into the tip of your hair.”
As an established actress, Meghan is probably used to being sent a lot of PR packages.
In a post on her previous account, she thanks loungewear clothing company Lunya for sending her pajamas in cheeky packaging that says ‘good in bed’.
Known for her feminist beliefs, Meghan also shared several mottos with her followers.
A post on her previous account reads: “Teach your daughters to worry less about fitting into glass slippers and more about shattering glass ceilings.”
Another powerful message on a woman’s shirt reads: ‘Strong women intimidate boys… and excite men’.
In 2023, Meghan revealed how she was keen to make a comeback on social media, telling The Cut: ‘Want to know a secret? I’ll be back…on Instagram.’
She had been teasing her return for months with the news that the @meghan handle was hers, creating a frenzy of followers despite the account being empty without a single post.
The account was first created in June 2022. It had no bio information and only had a profile photo of pink dahlias.
In a post to her previous account, Meghan thanked loungewear clothing company Lunya for sending her pajamas in cheeky packaging that said ‘good in bed’
Another powerful message on a woman’s shirt reads: ‘Strong women intimidate boys… and excite men’
It’s unclear how Meghan was able to obtain her unique username, as Instagram guidelines state that the data is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
A single-name handle, such as @meghan, is rare, with most users having to add last names and numbers to find handles that haven’t been used yet.
It is also unknown whether the handle was held by a previous user, but celebrities can purchase an Instagram name.
In 2019, the royal couple caused controversy when they started their @sussexroyal Instagram account.
Football fan Kevin Keiley, from West Sussex, had been using the handle for about three years and created it because he was a fan of Reading FC – nicknamed The Royals – and was from Sussex.
But he said it was ‘stolen’ from him and Instagram said his account was given away because the account was inactive, but Mr Keiley said no one had contacted him about it.
Akshay Makadiya, founder of digital marketing agency RankLane, said, “Celebrities often find it easier to have specific usernames on platforms like Instagram. Given her worldwide fame, there are several ways Meghan could have possibly obtained the handle.
‘The handle may have been in use by another person with the same name or for other purposes. Meghan’s team could have contacted the original user and negotiated a transfer.
‘It could involve a financial transaction. Or if the account was inactive or perceived as ‘squatting’ (holding on to a username with no real use, especially with the intention of profiting from it later), Instagram’s policies could have facilitated its release to Meghan.”
Social media expert Eric Schiffer previously told Mail On Sunday: ‘I don’t think Meghan’s return to Instagram will surprise anyone. She has a new talent manager and this is the next logical step.
“You have celebrities like the Kardashians who can make $1 million and more for a single post promoting a product. There is no reason why Meghan can’t earn this kind of compensation.”