Meghan Markle starts the new year with a new Instagram account, returning to the social media platform after a five-year absence and accumulating nearly a million followers on the first day of his return.
The count, given the simple handle @meghanposted two posts on Thursday – its first post, a black and white video shared on New Year’s Day, shows the Duchess of Sussex, 43, running on a beach towards the ocean, before stopping to write “2025” in the sand with your finger.
People report her husband, Prince Harry shot the video.
Eagle-eyed followers have, however, spotted evidence that the video was likely filmed multiple times, which is relevant to anyone who has ever attempted to capture content for the platform.
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As Markle runs toward the water in a white button-down shirt and white jeans, fans noticed the year “2025” already written in the sand in one spot, suggesting the video took at least two takes to capture .
As Meghan Markle runs towards the ocean, a precedent “2025” can be seen already written in the sand.
@meghan / Instagram
Markle and Harry, the Duke of Sussex, married in 2018 and were initially part of @KensingtonRoyal, which also included Harry’s brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. But a year later, Meghan and Harry launched their own account, @SussexRoyal, a sign of their growing distance from the royal family.
@SussexRoyal went on hiatus in 2020, around the time Meghan and Harry announced they were stepping back from official duties.
In the past, the couple has shared their hesitation to return to social media with personal profiles, citing the harassment they have faced in the past. Last year, they urged social media platforms to strengthen their content moderation policies, saying some apps could harm young people’s mental health.
FILE – Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the annual Endeavor Fund Awards ceremony in London on March 5, 2020.
Kristy Wigglesworth / Associated Press
However, Vanity Fair reports Markle met with Meta executivesthe parent company of Instagram, to discuss safety and creating healthier online experiences before launching its new account.
Before joining the Royal familyMarkle had around millions of Instagram followers on her own account, which she closed four months before marrying Harry in 2018. She also closed her popular blog, The Tig, in 2017.
In her second video, posted Thursday, Markle teased her upcoming lifestyle series, With love, Meghanscheduled to premiere later this month.
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