Experts say Meghan Markle needs ‘lucrative’ Instagram relaunch tapping into Hollywood followers – after ‘history of bad judgments’ and as Duchess faces Netflix ‘high noon’

Meghan Markle’s return to Instagram has sparked international intrigue and debate as the Duchess of Sussex makes a calculated attempt to revitalize her public image and open up new revenue streams.

With the new handle @meghan, she has already attracted more than 100,000 followers in one day.

However, the move is seen by many as an attempt to bounce back from a series of setbacks that have plagued her and Prince Harry’s brand in recent months.

The past two years have proven challenging for the Sussexes, marked by notable missteps, including the cancellation of Meghan’s much-hyped Spotify podcast Archetypes, reportedly due to a lack of impactful content.

Their joint Netflix documentary, Heart of Invictus, focused on Prince Harry’s beloved Invictus Games, but failed to generate the buzz expected from their multimillion-dollar deal.

Perhaps most notable was the failure of their Netflix project Polo, a docuseries about Harry’s polo escapades, where they inexplicably only appeared towards the end, leaving audiences disappointed.

And on top of that, Meghan’s lifestyle brand Riviera Orchard, once seen as a cornerstone of her post-royal ventures, is mired in trademark disputes and a lack of tangible progress.

These hurdles have made their future in Hollywood uncertain, especially with their Netflix contract set to expire in 2025.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams sees Meghan’s Instagram comeback as a crucial part of her wider strategy to regain control of her narrative while reigniting interest in the Sussexes: ‘She and Harry were forced to stop using their @sussexroyal account.

“They had launched it in 2019 and gained a million followers in record time. She closed her personal Instagram account and her successful lifestyle blog The Tig before their wedding.”

Fitzwilliams is also linking her social media re-emergence to an ambitious series of branding efforts, including an upcoming Netflix cooking series and further ventures under the American Riviera Orchard brand: ‘Meghan’s intention in the video is to look relaxed, confident and most of all. , symbolize the freedom they claim to have found,” he notes.

‘At the moment, interest in the Sussex brand remains huge.’

However, Fitzwilliams warns that Meghan and Harry are entering a ‘make-or-break’ period as their current media deals are about to expire.

“If their multi-million dollar Netflix deal is not renewed this year, it would be a disaster for them,” he noted.

This makes Meghan’s digital relaunch an even higher-stakes endeavor as the couple looks to demonstrate their continued relevance in the competitive Hollywood landscape.

While brand and culture expert Nick Ede sees Meghan’s Instagram revival as an opportunity for her to re-establish credibility and connect with fans, “Meghan has returned to social media, and this is a great way to write her truth.

“She will look at 2025 as the year she reinvents herself and takes ownership of who she is. Using social media as a platform to express her personality and control her narrative is a positive step for her.”

Meghan’s Instagram debut – a video reportedly filmed by Prince Harry – projects an image of ease and confidence.

Against the picturesque backdrop of a Montecito beach, Meghan playfully frolicks in the sand before cutting into it with a dramatic flourish, “2025.”

But Fitzwilliams remains sceptical: “If Meghan carves 2025 in the sand, she knows it’s noon because their contract with Netflix expires this year and if it weren’t renewed it would be a disaster for them.”

While Ede claims Meghan is simply positioning herself more as a Hollywood celebrity than a former royal.

“She uses her platform like a social media star would, and this is where she belongs. She is one of many who have a platform and can create content and make money.”

For Meghan, the stakes couldn’t be higher, but the rewards could be enormous. Experts suggest that her presence on Instagram could open doors for lucrative endorsement deals and partnerships with global brands.

Hollywood A-listers like Serena Williams, Chrissy Teigen and Mindy Kaling have already followed her account, highlighting the potential for high-profile collaborations.

Meghan’s Instagram journey reflects her evolution from actress and blogger to duchess and now media personality.

Before her royal wedding, she had a thriving social media presence and wrote the lifestyle blog The Tig, which focused on food, fashion and travel. Its conclusion ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry symbolized her transition into royal life, where she gave up personal projects in favor of palace duties.

Now that she no longer has official ties to the royal family, Meghan appears ready to reclaim the space she once dominated.

Ede believes Meghan’s return to Instagram offers her an opportunity to promote authenticity, a quality she will need to rebuild trust with fans and critics alike.

‘She doesn’t hide behind PR spin or brand story. “She is herself, and this could be a great way for her to build her profile and trust with consumers and fans – and even people who don’t really care about her,” he said.

Yet doubts remain. Fitzwilliams insists that the Sussexes’ record of polarizing decisions continues to haunt them: “It is impossible to erase memories of the ruthless way in which they launched a series of brutal attacks on the Royal Family, brazenly destroying their royal exploiting connections to be where they are today. .’