As many of you know, Meghan has finally returned to Instagram, but there’s something very interesting about how she’s styling herself on this new account.
On her new Instagram account, she’s calling herself “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex” and not “Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.” Now, for those of you who might think I’m being overly analytical, let me explain why this tiny difference is actually massive in royal terms.
Cast your minds back to the 1990s when Princess Diana divorced Charles. Her title changed from “Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales” to simply “Diana, Princess of Wales.” The same thing happened with Sarah Ferguson—she went from “Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of York” to just “Sarah, Duchess of York.” Do you see the pattern here? That missing “the” is a very specific marker of divorce status in royal protocol.
Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. Last year, when the American Riviera Orchard account was launched, it clearly stated “Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.” So, she—or at least someone on her team—absolutely knows the correct way to style her title. This isn’t just a casual oversight, but wait—it gets even better. When this new Instagram account first launched, it was just “Meghan.” Then, suddenly, “Duchess of Sussex” was added—but notably, without that crucial “the.”
I’ve been covering the royals for years, and let me tell you, nothing about these titles is accidental. Every comma, every word choice is deliberate and loaded with meaning. Compare this to Catherine, Princess of Wales, who has always maintained perfect protocol with her titles. The difference in approach really tells you everything you need to know about their respective attitudes toward royal tradition and responsibility.
What’s particularly striking is how this fits into a larger pattern we’ve been seeing. Think about it—Harry’s been doing solo appearances, Meghan’s launching her own ventures, and now this very specific title styling. The pieces are starting to fit together, and they’re painting quite a picture.
Let’s talk about timing for a moment. This Instagram launch coincides with her new Netflix show announcement, With Love, Meghan. Notice anything? No mention of Harry there either. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Meghan is creating her own distinct brand separate from her royal connections—well, except for that “Duchess” title she seems so keen to keep, even if she’s not using it correctly.
Now, here’s something my regular viewers know I always emphasize: Meghan is extremely media savvy. Before marrying Harry, she ran a successful lifestyle blog and knew exactly how to present herself on social media. So, when I see something like this, I have to wonder: Is this a deliberate signal, or has she really made such a basic protocol error?
Looking at the broader context, we’ve seen numerous signs of trouble in paradise. Harry’s been looking increasingly isolated in recent public appearances, while Meghan seems to be crafting an independent image. This Instagram title situation could very well be her way of softly launching her post-Harry brand. Remember how meticulously Meghan managed her image before joining the royal family? That level of attention to detail doesn’t just disappear. Every move is calculated, every decision carefully weighed. So when we see something like this—something that specifically echoes the styling used by divorced royal wives—we have to consider that it might not be a coincidence.
Let’s also consider how this contrasts with her previous social media presence. The American Riviera Orchard account used the correct formal styling, which proves she or her team knows the proper protocol. So why the change now? What message is she trying to send?
What’s particularly fascinating is the timing of all this. Just as she’s launching her new Netflix show and stepping back into the spotlight solo, she chooses this very specific way to present herself. It’s almost as if she’s testing the waters, seeing how people react to her as just Meghan, with a casual reference to her Duchess status, rather than as one half of Harry and Meghan.
And let’s talk about Harry for a moment. Where is he in all this? His absence from her recent projects and promotions is becoming increasingly noticeable. While William and Catherine continue to present a united front in their work and public appearances, Harry seems to be fading more and more into the background of Meghan’s narrative.
The contrast between how Meghan handles her title and how other royal family members present themselves is striking. Look at Queen Camilla, Princess Catherine, or even Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. They all maintain proper protocol in their title and public presence. This casual approach to royal titles isn’t just unusual; it’s unprecedented for someone who’s supposedly still an active member of the royal marriage. Think back to how carefully Diana and Sarah Ferguson handled their post-divorce titles. They understood the weight and meaning of these formal stylings. So, in Meghan—who we know is intelligent and media savvy—using her title in this particular way, we have to assume it’s deliberate.
For my longtime viewers who’ve followed the Sussex saga with me, you’ll remember how I’ve often pointed out Meghan’s strategic approach to building her brand. This latest move fits perfectly into that pattern. It’s subtle enough to maintain deniability but clear enough to send a message to those who understand royal protocol.
What’s particularly telling is the reaction from her team—or rather, the lack of it. If this were truly a mistake, you’d expect it to be quickly corrected, especially given how important titles and styling are in royal circles. The fact that it remains unchanged speaks volumes.
Let’s also consider this in the context of her recent activities: the Netflix show, the Instagram launch, the lifestyle brand. It’s all very reminiscent of her pre-Harry life, but now with the added cachet of a royal title. Is this perhaps a glimpse of her post-Harry strategy?
And here’s something else to consider: The timing couldn’t be more interesting, coming just as Catherine, Princess of Wales, has been focusing on her critically important early childhood development work. The contrast in priorities and approach couldn’t be more stark.
For those keeping score at home, let’s remember that Meghan has always been very particular about her titles and status. This is the same person who allegedly insisted on using her Duchess title for her children’s books and other commercial ventures. So, this casual approach to her title styling now feels particularly significant. What we might be witnessing is the early stages of a very carefully managed transition. Just as we saw with Diana and Sarah Ferguson, these changes in title usage often precede more significant announcements.
The reaction from royal watchers and experts has been fascinating. Many are pointing out, as I have, that someone as media savvy as Meghan would be unlikely to make such a specific error in royal protocol without it being intentional.
For those new to my channel, you might be wondering why I’m making such a big deal about a missing “the.” But my regular viewers know that in the royal world, these small details often signal much bigger changes to come. Nothing happens by accident—especially not when it comes to titles and official styling.
Looking ahead, I think we need to watch very carefully how this situation develops. Will Harry start appearing more in her content? Will there be any correction to the title styling, or is this indeed the beginning of a new chapter in the Sussex saga?