**Meghan Markle: Instagram is a Source of Personal Joy, Not a Platform for Business Promotion**
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has stated that her personal Instagram account is dedicated purely to enjoyment and self-expression, rather than serving as a promotional tool for her wider business interests. Speaking candidly in a recent podcast interview, Meghan addressed speculation about her motives for returning to the social media platform earlier this year.
Having stepped back into the world of Instagram in January, Meghan wasted little time capturing public attention. Early posts depicted her embracing family life on sandy shores while playfully writing “2025” in the sand. Adding to this, she shared a montage from her Netflix series, ‘With Love, Meghan’, offering followers a rare glimpse behind the scenes.
Despite occasional references to her jam-selling venture ‘As Ever’—which does have a dedicated @aseverofficial Instagram profile—Meghan makes it clear that her personal handle, currently amassing a robust following of 3.8 million, is not designed to advertise or promote. In contrast, her ‘As Ever’ account, with 847,000 followers and linked from her main profile, is where she prefers to concentrate her business-related content.
During her conversation with entrepreneur Emma Grede for the ‘Aspire with Emma Grede’ podcast, Meghan was directly asked if she approaches her personal account as a business tool, to which she replied unequivocally, “Not for my personal account, no.” Grede probed further, but Meghan maintained her stance, laughing and encouraging fans to follow both profiles if desired.
Meghan explained, “For me, it was a great way to get my voice back… It’s my space and my channel for joy—the intention is entirely personal.” She emphasised that her posts are meant to be “authentic”, offering real-time glimpses into her family’s life, rather than curated or polished content designed to serve commercial goals.
One recent post which captured widespread attention featured Meghan dancing in a hospital labour room, heavily pregnant with her daughter, Princess Lilibet, in a light-hearted effort to hasten labour. Meghan described the twerking video as a moment of “authentic fun,” underscoring her desire to share genuine snippets of life with her followers.
Reflecting on her relationship with social media, Meghan alluded to how empowering it feels to make her own choices about what she shares, noting that her content is never “overproduced”. She highlighted the importance of honesty, explaining, “It’s a really great reminder that with all the noise or whatever people do, there’s still a whole, real, authentic, fun life happening behind the scenes.”
Many social media observers see Meghan’s approach as indicative of a broader move among public figures away from tightly controlled online branding, towards more spontaneous and heartfelt sharing. The duchess maintains, “Being back on social, I have a place where I can share [my life] on my own terms.”
Meghan Markle’s commitment to keeping her personal Instagram grounded in happiness and authenticity provides her millions of followers—including those with a keen interest in royal comings and goings—with content that feels not only accessible, but refreshingly down-to-earth. As platforms like Instagram evolve, Meghan’s refusal to conflate her personal and business identities seems likely to spark further conversation about how public figures navigate the intersection of privacy, promotion, and personal joy in the digital age.