Meghan Markle took down Instagram comments to protect 'her peace'

Meghan Markle returned to Instagram with a New Year's Day beach roll and a trailer for her Netflix show “With Love, Meghan.”

During her return, the Duchess of Sussex visibly disabled comments on her page, preventing followers from directly commenting on her posts.

PR expert Ed Hopkins has now revealed that disabling comments is helping Meghan Markle protect her mental health from online negativity following past claims of cyberbullying.

In an interview with ExpressCelebrity PR expert Hopkins revealed why Meghan decided to block comments on her new Instagram account.

Hopkins said the former actress' decision to turn off comments on her Instagram is likely to “protect her mental health and reduce the risk of harmful or negative interactions.”

Hopkins explained: “From a PR perspective, this decision is not necessarily about avoiding engagement, but about protecting her mental health and reducing the risk of harmful or negative interactions that can be all too common on social media platforms.”

He added that this approach will not prevent Meghan from connecting with her audience, noting: “Meghan's posts can still drive engagement in other ways, such as through her choice of content, her message and the conversations she sparks around her posts.”

Hopkins noted that “at the end of the day” the Duchess “probably wants to protect her peace while sharing important moments and events with her followers.”

“As we've seen from other public figures, taking control of your digital environment can be a smart and empowering move,” the expert concluded.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the publication that Meghan's return to Instagram “makes perfect sense” as it coincides with the release of her upcoming projects.

Fitzwilliams noted, “It makes perfect sense to release a video to signal a new year that will generate more activity. There is a connection between her cooking series on Netflix, which should be seen soon, and her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which is in trademark trouble, and it's delayed.”

He added: “It should prove financially rewarding, as will her Instagram posts if sponsored. She already has over 100,000 followers, including some big names, but is currently unfollowing anyone.”

As of January 4, Meghan's Instagram account has reached over 1.3 million followers and counting, and while Prince Harry was not featured in her first video post, it is widely believed that he was behind the camera capturing the carefree moment.

Their children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibeth, 3, were also absent from the post.

Shortly after her beach video, Meghan delighted followers once again by unveiling the trailer for her highly-anticipated Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.

In the trailer, Meghan is seen with guests like actress Mindy Kaling and her 'Suits' co-star Abigail Spencer arranging flowers and raising bees.

The eight-episode show, which premieres on January 15, will see Megan host celebrity friends at her California estate and offer cooking, gardening and entertaining tips.

However, speaking with A mirrorRoyal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop warned that the trailer's overly elaborate and flamboyant portrayal could have a negative impact.

Dunlop noted, “It's all too easy to mock Megan and the perfect world she presents in her new Netflix trailer: shiny (slightly) famous friends, effortlessly fresh food, Insta-ready pictures.”

She added: “But don't worry, apparently that's exactly what the Duchess is doing: in her words: 'I've always liked to take something quite ordinary and elevate it.'” And no, she's not talking about Prince Harry, who is lucky enough to be performing this time along with his influential wife and her fellow millennials.

Dunlop also pointed to Meghan's claim to creating a warm, family atmosphere, with celebrity chef Roy Choi commenting: “They're a family now.”

However, Dunlop noted that given the Sussexes' “achievement with their nearest and dearest”, that sentiment may be ringing hollow.

Viewers of Meghan's new Netflix trailer have been left confused as the ad doesn't mention her much-anticipated lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.

The brand, which was launched with a dedicated website and Instagram page last March, gained attention after a trademark application revealed plans to sell jams, pastes and luxury homewares.

However, despite the initial excitement, the creations have only been shared privately with Meghan's celebrity friends, who showed off their jam on social media in April.

No items have been available for public purchase, and the brand's progress appears to have stalled due to ongoing trademark issues. The American Riviera Orchard Instagram account has also remained inactive.

In 2020, Megan teased in a conversation with Cutout that she will return to Instagram after being forced to close in 2018 ahead of her royal wedding to Harry.

“You want to know a secret? I'm going back to… Instagram,” she said at the time.

However, she has already used Instagram to promote her brand, American Riviera Orchard. Meghan reportedly launched the Montecito brand as an extension of her old blog, The Tig, saying it would focus on home, garden, food and general lifestyle.

A source close to Meghan told Harper's Bazaar that her brand was “something more accessible…something rooted in her love of detail, curation, hosting, the simple joys of life and family.”

The source added: “Meghan is busy creating something safe and timeless. And something that won't be accused of riding on the back of something royal.”