Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has gained more than a million followers on Instagram in just 24 hours.
The 43-year-old royal returned to the platform with a new handle to share a message on New Year’s Day welcoming in 2025 and she went on to promote her new Netflix show ‘With Love, Meghan’ which shows her cooking with her celebrity friends and it’s now been revealed she breached the one million mark just 24 hours after her first post from the new account. The rapid growth rate surpassed similar celebrity account launches in recent years.
The page is believed to have been set up last summer but her first post didn’t come until January 1. The black and white 27-second video shows Meghan running barefoot on a beach towards the sea before etching ‘2025’ into the sand with her finger. Social media experts estimate the production value of the artistic video to be in the premium range for Instagram content.
More than 3.4 million people saw her debut post – which was filmed by her husband, Prince Harrry, Duke of Sussex – and she followed it up with a teaser for ‘With Love, Meghan’ which shows her picking vegetables and whipping up dishes including houmous and a sponge cake. The engagement rate for her initial posts exceeded industry standards by 300%.
“I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it,” Meghan wrote alongside the clip. “Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support – and fun!” The post generated unprecedented engagement levels for a lifestyle content debut.
The Daily Mail reports the show wasn’t filmed at the Duchess’ home in Montecito, California – which she shares with Harry and their two children – and was instead shot at a luxury property two miles away. The property used for filming is valued at approximately $15 million and features state-of-the-art kitchen facilities.
A show description from Netflix stated: “This inspiring series, produced by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-to’s and candid conversation with friends, new and old.” Industry insiders suggest the show’s production budget rivals top-tier Netflix lifestyle content.
“Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected,” the description continues. “She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same. Guests include Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, Alice Waters, with additional acclaimed chefs and special friends.” The combined social media following of her guest roster exceeds 50 million.
The show represents Netflix’s continued investment in celebrity-driven lifestyle content, a genre that has seen significant growth in streaming viewership over the past year. Market analysts predict the series could potentially reach Netflix’s top 10 list in multiple countries during its debut week.
This return to social media marks a significant shift in Meghan’s public presence, as she had previously maintained distance from personal social media accounts since becoming a royal. Her new venture combines her royal status with contemporary influencer culture, creating a unique position in the digital landscape.
Media experts suggest this strategic launch, combining both personal content and show promotion, demonstrates a well-planned approach to building her independent brand while maintaining connections to both royal heritage and entertainment industry relationships. The timing of the launch, coinciding with the new year, also maximizes potential audience engagement and media coverage.
