Meghan Markle’s 'hidden message' in first Instagram post in years revealed

Following her shock return to social media yesterday, followers of Meghan Markle believe the Duchess was trying to send a mysterious message in her debut Instagram post.

A clip of the mother-of-two running barefoot on the beach was shared on her new, official profile, where she's also seen writing something in the sand.

After wedding husband Prince Harry in 2018, a year later Meghan joined Instagram with a new royal profile of her own, with the handle @sussexroyal. The account gained more than 1 million followers in six hours.

Meghan has returned to social media following a four year break (Leon Bennett/FilmMagic)

Sadly, however, both Meghan and Harry took a step back from social media all the way back in 2021, with Elle Magazine claiming at the time that the pair had grown tired of the onslaught of hate they were often subjected to following their departure from the UK to the US.

Meghan later said during an appearance on the Teenage Therapy podcast: "I’m told that in 2019 I was the most trolled person in the entire world, male or female. What was able to just be manufactured and churned out, it’s almost unsurvivable, that’s so big.

"You can’t think of what that feels like. I don’t care if you’re 15 or 25, if people are saying things about you that aren’t true, what that does to your mental and emotional health is so damaging."

That said, Meghan returned to Instagram with a bang yesterday (1 January).

As we say, however, following her expected return, followers of the 42-year-old have been looking closely at her first post.

Taking to Instagram yesterday following a low-key Christmas with her family in California, Meghan shared a video of herself running across a beach on what appears to be a rather windy-looking day.

The harsh weather didn't wipe the smile of her face, however, with the Duchess then seen penning the numbers '2025' into the sand, seemingly welcoming in the New Year.

Interestingly, however, one royal expert believes Meghan's four-digit note may marking more than just another 12 months, and it was actually a 'hidden message' used to express her desire to become more independent.

Ingrid Seward has since told The Sun that the former Suits actress may be hinting at wanting to start 2025 off on a 'strong note' - somewhat separately from her husband and their two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.

"There's always there's always a hidden message with Meghan," Seward told the publication.

The clip allegedly contained a 'hidden message' (Instagram/@meghan)

"I think it's a positive message: 'Hi, I'm here. I'm back. I'm doing my thing, and Harry will be doing his thing, and I should be doing mine' - and I think it's just a positive message.

"They've been sort of dogged a bit last year by lots of rumours about the state of their marriage, and whether Harry was happy and why we haven't seen more of Meghan, and I think she realizes that she wants to start 2025 on a very positive and sort of strong note.

"You know, 'look at me, I'm here. Watch out for me and what I'm doing'."

And apparently, her leaving Harry and their kids out of the video also formed part of the message she's trying to convey.

"It's nothing to do with her and the children or her and Harry - it's just her," Seward continued. "I think it's all about Meghan - 'I've done my mothering bit. You're not going to see my kids,' you know. She's been very, very careful to keep them out of camera range, and it's her.

"And I think she needs to do this, because, she hasn't had a good year press wise in 2024, and she needs to."

Could her latest post hint that 'professional separation' rumours are true? (Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)

Seward's speculation comes just weeks after another royal expert predicted a 'professional separation' was occuring between Meghan and Harry behind the scenes, following a bout of solo public appearances throughout the autumn period.

The insider explained that the decision to remain somewhat estranged in the view of the public was conscious, and that their 'professional separation' served as a means of focussing on their own passions.

"Harry and Meghan have consistently pursued solo ventures in connection with their individual interests," the anonymous source told Hello! back in November.

"But remain deeply committed to their joint efforts through Archewell [their joint charity, formed in 2020]. Together they have exciting projects in the pipeline, all driving forward their shared mission for positive global impact."