Meghan Markle has spoken about her return to Instagram and how she shields herself from criticism, saying she “protected” herself from seeing any negative reaction to a viral video of her twerking while pregnant.
The Duchess of Sussex discussed her approach to social media on The Circuit podcast with host Emily Chang, describing how she balances sharing personal moments with guarding her mental wellbeing.
“Coming back on Instagram was a really big decision. But also, it’s just been joyful,” Meghan said.
“And I’m really intentional in using it as a platform to share joy and to have fun as well. So I get to play and explore - I play in public.”
Meghan Markle says she 'protected herself' from backlash to her twerking video
|YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
Ms Chang asked if it was difficult for Meghan to reveal her full self online. “Do you feel like it’s hard to show your whole self?” she said.
Meghan admitted that she sometimes hesitates before posting, pointing to the twerking video she filmed during her pregnancy with Princess Lilibet and subsequently shared online earlier this year.
“I waffle with some of my choices before I make them. I’m generally very decisive, but social media is a great barometer for me, because putting out a video of myself, nine months pregnant, was a really big choice.
“But I also wanted people to see themselves in my story and our story. And to be able to show that with all the noise that might happen in the world on a day-to-day basis, real life is still happening behind the scenes, really real life.”
Meghan Markle denies hearing ‘tradwife’ label despite addressing it months earlier | YOUTUBE / BLOOMBERG ORIGINALSMs Chang noted that public reaction to such posts is often divided. “But you put that out there, and some people, they tear it apart,” she said.
Meghan responded: “I’m sure they did. I don’t know. But I also protect myself from seeing that.”
The Duchess of Sussex has adopted a deliberate strategy of enjoying the benefits of social media while avoiding its more damaging effects.
Meghan’s decision to post the video was widely interpreted as a move to present a playful, relatable image, in contrast to the criticism she and Prince Harry often face.
Meghan Markle wears £5.8k gold bracelet with cannula in twerking video. | INSTAGRAM / @MEGHAN
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“I get to play and explore - I play in public,” she said, emphasising that her use of Instagram is designed to be authentic, even if it attracts scrutiny.
The Duchess’s remarks come as she continues to promote her Netflix lifestyle series and her As Ever brand, both of which draw heavily on her personal tastes and family life.