How Meghan Markle Is Pulling Back the Curtain on Her Private World

Once Meghan Markle relaunched her Instagram account on New Year's Day 2025, she's carried on, sharing peeks into her every day life with Prince Harry and their kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

By Elyse Dupre Aug 04, 2025 1:06 PM
| Updated Jul 24, 2026 3:18 PM
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Watch: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Share Rare Photo With Both Kids Archie and Lilibet in the U.K.

It was nearly a decade ago that Meghan Markle made the decision to bow out of social media.

Having already shut down her lifestyle blog The Tig in 2017 as her romance with Prince Harry grew increasingly public, the former Suits star closed her Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts months before their 2018 wedding.

Now—six-plus years after Meghan and Harry stepped back as working members of the royal family and moved to her home state of California, where they reside with their 7-year-old son Prince Archie and 5-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet—she’s back on the 'gram, most recently providing a peek at their summer trip across the pond.

Although, the Duchess of Sussex—now an Emmy nominee thanks to her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan—admits the digital world is a little different from when she left it.

"The last time I was on social Boomerang was around. It’s been a minute," the 44-year-old shared on a June 2025 episode of the Aspire With Emma Grede podcast. "There was no Stories. All of it’s new. There were no gadgets where you could have the little tripod."

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Share Rare Photo With Both Kids Archie and Lilibet in the U.K.

However, getting back on social media has been "liberating."

"For me, it was a great way to get my voice back," she continued. "It’s my space and my channel for joy. That is the intention of my handle."

If you look at that handle—which has racked up more than 4 million followers since its launch on New Year's Day—you’ll find glimpses into Meghan and Harry’s world that fans didn’t even see in their previously released docuseries. 

Instagram / Meghan Markle

These include insights on their romance, like their Beyoncé and James Taylor concert outings, anniversary tributes with never-before-seen wedding photos and stories of how Harry brought Meghan cupcakes on their second date in 2016. They’ve also included peeks into their life as parents, with the mom of two posting home videos and photos of Archie and Lili as well as clips from their family’s trip to Disneyland (though she often shields their faces from the camera to protect their privacy).

For Lili’s 5th birthday, she posted further proof of her daughter's status as Harry's mini me. For her 4th, it was a throwback video of herself dancing in the delivery room. 

"By the way, that wasn’t yesterday—that was four years ago," Meghan added. "So it’s also a really great reminder that with all the noise or whatever people do, there’s still a whole life—a real, authentic, fun life—that’s happening behind the scenes. I’m just grateful that now, being back on social as well, I have a place where I can share it on my own terms."

Meghan Markle/Instagram

On her own terms being the key words. Because while Meghan can control how she posts about her life or promotes her lifestyle brand As Ever, she can’t control what’s said about her and Harry online, including reports about his rift with the royal family.

As she put it during an April visit with students from Australia’s Swinburne University of Technology, "I was the most trolled person in the entire world. Now I’m still here."

So how does she balance owning her own narrative while also having to deal with the constant media frenzy?

"It's a fine line," the duchess admitted on the podcast, "but it’s also setting up boundaries—which I would say to anyone no matter what you’re going through, what your experience has been. You set boundaries of where you’re comfortable and it’s OK to say no."

Still, social media can also be a scary place. And when she released With Love, Meghan—her Netflix series showcasing her passions for cooking, gardening and entertaining—some online users accused her of being inauthentic or unrelatable. But Meghan just reminds them that her world was once very different, telling The New York Times in April 2025, "Don’t they know my life hasn’t always been like this?"

Ultimately, she's expressed how she's focusing less on her critics and more on just living her life. As she shared on an April 2025 episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show, "I am just so done with the prove it game."

Now she's relaxed enough to crack jokes about her secret third child, admitting on With Love, Meghan, "If I could've have kept a secret like that, I mean, impressive."

But she's not hiding her love for her actually brood. Keep calm and carry on toward the sweetest photos she's shared with Harry, Archie and Lili.

Beach Day

Meghan Markle posted a series of photos from her "summer holiday" with Prince Harry and their kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in July 2026, including this one from their family trip to the beach.

Captain Archie

This adorable snap will have your heart soaring. In the same photo series, the Duchess of Sussex shared a photo of her firstborn sitting with pilots in the cockpit of a plane.

Hugs All Around

To celebrate Father's Day, Meghan shared a precious pic of Harry getting some sweet squeezes from Archie and Lili.

"They’re so lucky to have you," she wrote on Instagram in June 2026. "We all are. Happy Father’s Day to our one and only."

Having a Ball

While "springing into summer" in June 2026, the mom of two scored this cute shot of Archie and his dad playing with a giant soccer ball. 

Favorite Stylist

If the former Suits star doesn't know what to wear, she proved in this May 2026 post she can always call on "mama’s little helper" Lili.

Disney Days

Meghan, Harry, Archie, Lili and Meghan's mom Doria Ragland had a magical day at Disneyland in May 2026, where the young princess got to meet Disney royalty like Cinderella.

Easter 2026

Somebunny had a fun Easter in April 2026 that included an egg hunt and coloring eggs.

Ski Trip

In April 2026, Meghan posted a video of Archie and Harry hitting the slopes.

"My boys," she captioned the clip. "Quick learner, Archie! So proud."

International Women’s Day

For International Women’s Day, the As Ever founder shared a photo of her and her daughter that was snapped by "Papa Sussex."

"For the woman she will one day be…" Meghan captioned the March 2026 post with Lili. "Happy International Women’s Day."

Valentine's Day 2026

Your heart will inflate with joy after seeing this loving photo Meghan posted of Lili and Harry with red balloons on Valentine's Day 2026, noting, "These two + Archie = my forever Valentines."

Fall Fun

Just days before Halloween 2025, Meghan posted a video featuring her, Harry and their two little pumpkins visiting the patch. 

International Day of the Girl

For International Day of the Girl 2025, Meghan posted a photo of her holding Lili's hand.

"All the girls - this world is yours," she captioned the October 2025 tribute. "Do everything you can to protect your rights, use your voice, support each other. We will do the same for you. It’s your right and our responsibility. Go get ‘em girl! Happy International Day of the Girl."

Lights, Camera, Action

While giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at season two of her Emmy-nominated show With Love, Meghan in September 2025, the host shared a snap of her two kids watching the footage.

Celebrating Dad

For Father's Day 2025, Meghan posted a video montage of Harry with their kids from over the years, including clips of him dancing with Archie, teaching him how to ride a bike and cuddling with him and Lili on a porch swing.

"The best," Meghan wrote in the June 2025 post. "Happy Father’s Day to our favorite guy."

Magical Moments

In June 2025, Meghan gave fans a glimpse at the Sussex family's trip to Disneyland—showing clips of them going on the rides, meeting characters and celebrating Lili's 4th birthday.

Princess Lilibet's Birthday

On the day of her daughter's 4th birthday, Meghan reflected on how quickly time has flown by sharing photos of Lili as a newborn and as a young girl.

"Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!" she captioned the June 2025 post. "Four years ago today she came into our lives - and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!"

Meghan also posted a few snaps of Harry and their youngest.

"The sweetest bond to watch unfold," she added. "Daddy’s little girl and favorite adventurer. Happy birthday Lili!"


Her "Little Honey"

Can you bee-lieve this adorable video? Fans were buzzing with excitement after the former actress posted a clip of her and Lili harvesting honey.

"Look at all of that fresh honeycomb!" Meghan captioned the May 2025 footage. "Harvesting honey with my little honey. (Like mother, like daughter; she’s even wearing my gloves)."

Mother's Day 2025

Posting a photo of Lili and Archie in each arm, Meghan celebrated Mother's Day by writing "cheers to juggling it all with joy."

"And to these two gems - who still attempt to climb 'mama mountain,' smother me with kisses, and make every day the most memorable adventure….being your mom is the greatest privilege of my life," she continued her May 2025 post. "I, too, 'love you more than all the stars in all the sky, all the raindrops, and all the salt on all the french fries in all the world.'"

The Rise of a New Year

Meghan was beaming with pride as she celebrated Archie's 6th birthday.

"Our son. Our sun," she captioned a photo of her firstborn looking out at a sunset in May 2025. "Happy 6th birthday to Archie!"

Thanking supporters "for all of the love, prayers, and warm wishes for our sweet boy," she added, "He’s six! Where did the time go?"

Mom & Daughter

Meghan and Princess Lilibet enjoyed some time in the garden in April 2025.

Smelling the Roses

Prince Archie also had fun examining the roses in a garden in April 2025.

Cookie Time

What's even sweeter than Meghan's baked goods? The video she posted in March 2025 "when making thumbprint cookies at home becomes a family affair!"

Dad & Daughter

Harry and Princess Lilibet shared a sweet moment on a boat ride in March 2025.

Valentine's Day 2025

Prince Archie enjoyed the holiday celebration with fresh strawberries to boot.

Auntie Serena Williams

Princess Lilibet played a game with her mom's friend in early 2025.

Archie and His Papa

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex included this image of their "2019 in review" Instagram video on New Year's Eve.

South Africa Tour

In 2019, the couple brought Archie, then 3 months old, on their Royal tour of South Africa, during which they met Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Birthday Story Time

Meghan was seen reading the book Duck! Rabbit!" to Archie on his first birthday, May 6, 2021.

Royal Baby

Meghan and Harry present their newborn son Prince Archie, then known as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England in May 2021.

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