She kickstarted 2025 by launching a sparkling new Instagram account, which to date has already accumulated 1.4 million followers and lots of frenzy.
And as Meghan Markle’s social media return aptly coincides with her solo Netflix project, a lifestyle series called With Love, Meghan, insiders say that the duchess has grand visions for the year ahead – and this is only the beginning.
A source tells Closer, ‘Meghan is coming into this new year feeling really invigorated. With her show airing in March, she has been told by everyone who’s seen it that she’s got a hit on her hands. Only time will tell, but if it does do as well as people are predicting, it could spark some concern among the royals because it will go a long way to prove that she’s the one who’s got the public’s interest.
'It will mean more opportunities for her to be front and centre, and more demand for a tell-all memoir. It’s no secret that she’s being hounded for one, and huge sums of money are on offer.’
They add, ‘There’s even been some buzz that she’s considering her own lifestyle magazine as well. She’s charging into 2025 with plans to make it her biggest year yet. She wants to prove all the haters wrong and really hit it out of the park.’
Meghan, 43, reportedly obtained the Instagram handle ‘meghan’ back in June 2022, but the profile remained dormant until the beginning of the year when she broke her five-year-long social media silence. Meghan’s first post – which many have suggested her husband Prince Harry captured near their Montecito home – showed her running along the beach before drawing ‘2025’ in the sand. It was closely followed by the announcement of her new series, which falls under the $100 million deal she and Harry, 40, have with Netflix.
‘I have been so excited to share this with you!’ she wrote. ‘I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it. Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team at Netflix. Beyond grateful for the support – and fun! As ever, Meghan.’
Towards the end of 2024, Harry and Meghan’s six-year marriage came under scrutiny as they appeared to be spending an increasing amount of time apart on individual endeavours.
Speculation of marital woes was accentuated by reports that Harry – who has been estranged from his family since 2020 when he and Meghan quit royal life and subsequently delivered bombshell claims about The Firm – is determined for a reconciliation with the royals, while his wife is allegedly less keen. A source previously said, ‘As vocal as Harry’s been about wanting to reconcile, a lot of people do feel he’s still under Meghan’s influence and he’s been agonising over the fact her stance could make it difficult for him to truly reach out.’
And now, our insider says that while Harry is undoubtedly proud of Meghan – with whom he shares Archie, five, and Lilibet, three – he has his concerns about how her comeback could impact his chances of mending bridges with his family.
‘Harry is incredibly supportive towards Meghan and always tells her how proud he is about the cooking show and all the other plans that are finally coming to fruition,’ the source explains. ‘The only downside for him is that he does worry about how his family is going to react. The Netflix show and business endeavours are one thing, but if Meghan elects to hit out at her critics back in the UK, for example, it would undoubtedly trigger a fresh firestorm of controversy.’
The source adds, ‘There’s still a deep fascination in America about what precisely went wrong between the Sussexes and the royals, and at some point, it seems inevitable that Meghan will want to set the record straight. That cloud is always hanging over them and it most certainly causes Harry a lot of underlying anxiety.’
Ahead of the duke’s scheduled return to the UK next month for his trial against News Group Newspapers, the insider adds that he is striving for a delicate balance between achieving peace with the royals and ensuring the happiness of his family in Montecito.
The source says, ‘Besides keeping Meghan and his kids happy, it’s without doubt Harry’s greatest wish that this is the year he and his father King Charles, brother Prince William and the rest of the family can put those differences behind them.
‘But he knows how sensitive they are to whatever he and Meghan say or do, even though they’re 6000 miles away. While he’s walking on eggshells in some senses, he’s keeping himself busy and holding onto the faith that 2025 will be his and Meghan’s year – both individually and as a brand.’