Gone are the days of Meghan Markle working toward a “more profound public persona.” Now the Duchess of Sussex is embracing her “true” self, according to a PR expert. What that looks like, ahead. Plus, how it fits seamlessly with Meghan’s new Netflix show. 

Expert praises Meghan Markle’s return to Instagram and her ‘true’ self 

Speaking to the U.K.’s Express, PR expert Renae Smith praised Meghan’s decision to get back on social media. “While the presentation may come across as excessively polished to some, it seems Meghan is finally showcasing her true self—an embodiment of the influencer lifestyle she genuinely identifies with,” Smith said. 

The actor-turned-British royal closed her Instagram and blog, The Tig, shortly before marrying Prince Harry in May 2018. After teasing a return to social media in 2022, Meghan finally got back on Instagram with the handle @meghan. She kicked it off with a New Year’s Day post. It showed her giggling and smiling on the beach writing “2025” in the sand. 

“After years of striving for a more profound public persona, she’s now presenting a version that resonates with her true inclinations,” Smith explained. 

Meghan’s Netflix show ‘aligns perfectly’ with her ‘brand narrative’ 

Smith continued, saying how Meghan’s new lifestyle show on Netflix, With Love, Meghan, which has the duchess cooking, gardening, and entertaining with celebrity friends, “aligns perfectly” with her brand.  

“The preview of her show suggests that it aligns perfectly with what we know she hopes to achieve with her brand narrative,” Smith said of the series’ trailer, which dropped in early January 2025. (Meghan shared the trailer for her second Instagram post of the year.) 

In the trailer, Meghan’s seen in the kitchen cooking alongside familiar faces. Some of them include actors Mindy Kaling and fellow Suits alum Abigail Spencer. There are also guest appearances by chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters—and a brief glimpse of Prince Harry. 

“The absence of any contrary reports leads me to believe she’s quite pleased with the outcome,” Smith went on. “It’s not about the food or techniques; it’s about selling her lifestyle. For her ‘live, laugh, love’ #girlboss demographic, it’ll probably be a hit.” 

Meghan’s already shared a personal loss with her Instagram followers 

She may have returned to Instagram recently, but Meghan’s already back to sharing parts of her personal life online. Just like in her pre-royal days. In a post on Jan. 7, 2025, Meghan revealed the heartbreaking news that her beloved rescue Beagle, Guy, had died after having him for 10 years. (She also included rare glimpses of Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.)

“If you followed me on Instagram back in the day, you saw a lot of him — and on The Tig too,” she wrote in the caption alongside a 90-second montage. “He was with me at Suits, when I got engaged, (and then married), when I became a mom.” 

Meghan went on to thank Guy for all the “years” of love, noting she’s “cried too many tears to count” over the loss. She also added that With Love, Meghan viewers “may fall a little bit in love [with Guy] too,” after seeing him on the show, which premieres in March 2024 after being postponed due to the California wildfires.