After a seven-year hiatus, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has made a striking return to Instagram with a verified account under the handle @meghan.
The former actress and royal kicked off her reentry with a serene video of herself running along a beach and inscribing “2025” in the wet sand.
The video, reportedly filmed by her husband, Prince Harry, was taken at a public beach near their Montecito, California home, according to ABC News.
Markle’s reappearance on the Meta-owned platform has already garnered immense attention, with her follower count reaching nearly 670,000 at the time of publication.
A New Chapter
Markle’s return marks a shift from her decision in 2018 to delete her Instagram account following her deepening relationship with Prince Harry and the onset of light royal duties.
Previously, she was an active user of the platform, sharing glimpses of her travels, favorite meals, and moments with her rescue dogs.
Now, with ventures like her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which includes products such as bespoke jam, Markle’s Instagram presence aligns with her entrepreneurial endeavors.
Overcoming Trolls
Her reappearance also signals a bold move against the “almost unsurvivable” trolling she endured in the past. During a 2020 appearance on the Teenager Therapy podcast, Markle revealed the staggering scale of online abuse she faced, stating:
“I’m told that in 2019 I was the most trolled person in the entire world, male or female.”
She described the emotional toll of relentless attacks during a time she was largely out of the public eye on maternity leave.
Markle revisited the topic last year in a speech in Colombia, stressing the corrosive nature of online cruelty:
“The digital age has almost created a culture where if you don’t have anything cruel to say, don’t say anything at all.”
Since stepping back from royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have carved out a distinct path in the United States, pursuing various media and philanthropic ventures, including their popular Netflix series.
