Instagram went into meltdown when Harry and Meghan unveiled their own account, Sussex Royal, on Tuesday afternoon.
The profile, described by an expert as ‘highly stylised’, racked up a staggering 150,000 followers in just 30 minutes, and by Wednesday morning had accumulated a jaw-dropping 2.2 million followers.
Among the followers are celebrities David Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow, as well as Princess Eugenie who commented ‘welcome cousins’.
Kensington Palace’s account, which has now been assigned to Prince William and Kate, currently stands at 7.1million followers.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first post – which announced they were joining the social network along with a gallery of their highlights – received 755,000 likes by Wednesday morning.
And followers were keen to share their support for Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, who are expecting their first child this month and are expected to share the first picture of their little one online.
On Tuesday afternoon Instagram went into meltdown when Harry and Meghan unveiled their own account, Sussex Royal. Among the gallery of their highlights the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured during their visit to Sussex last October
Among the thousands of uplifting comments, one follower wrote: ‘I truly wish I could personally give Meghan an apology.
‘A part of me sided with judgmental fools in the UK and now that I am dealing with the same judgement from my own ‘family’ I can’t imagine how hurt she must have felt. I applaud you for holding you head high you beautiful soul. You are my hero!’
Another added: ‘Let’s make this Instagram what Henry and Meghan’s all about positiveness I love’ (sic).
Praising them as inspiring, a follower said: ‘1.5 million in only a few hours. Their influence and reach is amazing.’
And a fourth wrote: ‘I hope haters and negative posts will be removed and blocked’.
The profile picture is an image bearing a white version of couple’s royal cypher – the entwined initials H and M below a coronet – on a navy background.
Their first post – a picture gallery- is kicked off with the same blue background featuring their monogram, and a welcome message written in a mix of italics and upper case fonts.
The carefully chosen pictures featured in the gallery, highlight the work they are most passionate about, and include their recent visit to a girl’s school in Morocco, Harry’s work with African conservation charities and Meghan’s cooking project with the Grenfell community.
By Wednesday morning had accumulated a jaw-dropping 2.1 million followers – despite following just 23 people, including Kensington Palace and Princess Eugenie
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first post – which announced they were joining the social network along with a gallery of their highlights – received 755,000 likes by Wednesday morning
The new @SussexRoyal Instagram account notched up nearly 300,000 followers within an hour of launching – including Meghan’s best friend Jessica Mulroney and celebrities David Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow.
The account follows just 23 people, including Kensington Palace, Princess Eugenie, the Duke of York, and various wildlife conservation charities.
Following the move, an expert has claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have unveiled their own Instagram account in an effort to take control of their image.
Nick Ede, Popular Culture Expert and CEO of East of Eden, told The Sun: ‘Harry and Megan have shown themselves to be stand out Royals who are embracing their work commitments in a progressive and passionate way.
‘Like Kate when she took the official images of her children, I think we will see Harry and Meghan controlling their image and the communication of their life and relationship using Instagram as a tool to do this.
‘Meghan had her own popular website, The Tig, which was highly stylised so I suspect she will have a lot of input in the style and what they want to say.
‘It also shows a willingness to be out there in the public eye because Instagram is not for shrinking violets’.
Followers were keen to share their support for Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, who are expecting their first child this month and are expected to share the first picture of their little one online
Harry and Meghan said @SussexRoyal would be used to share the work that drives them, and important announcements.
The move comes as the duke and duchess are splitting their household from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, whose Instagram account is @KensingtonRoyal.
Meghan and Harry’s new household will be based at Buckingham Palace, while William – a future King – and Kate will remain at Kensington Palace.
In a message on their first post, Harry and Meghan thanked people for their support, saying: ‘Welcome to our official Instagram; we look forward to sharing the work that drives us, the causes we support, important announcements, and the opportunity to shine a light on key issues.
‘We thank you for your support, and welcome you to @sussexroyal.’- Harry & Meghan.’
Among the thousands of uplifting comments, one follower wrote: ‘I truly wish I could personally give Meghan an apology’
Another dedicated follower added: ‘Let’s make this Instagram what Henry and Meghan’s all about positiveness I love’.
Kensington Palace’s Twitter feed introduced the new account, saying: ‘Welcome to Instagram, SussexRoyal!’
Harry and Meghan’s first post also included a gallery of photos of them on engagements around the world, including on trips to Australia and Fiji.
Former actress Meghan revealed only last month that she does not read newspapers or engage with Twitter to avoid getting ‘muddled’ by the ‘noise’, whether positive or negative.
The duchess’s admission came when she joined a panel of feminists and national figures to mark International Women’s Day.
She told the audience: ‘It’s our responsibility to make a choice on what we click on, we make a choice of what we read, we make a choice of what we engage in, that’s our personal decision to not be there for negativity, to be more positive and action-based.
‘And for me that’s a tricky one because I’m not part of any of that.’
The account has seen a staggering influx of followers, racking up 12,500 followers within 8 minutes of joining Instagram on Tuesday afternoon
The gallery includes a picture of Meghan as she shares a light-hearted moment with a well-wisher during a walkabout in Sydney. The image was one of three in the gallery taken on their royal tour last year
Ex-Suits star Meghan used to have her own personal Twitter and Instagram accounts, as well as a lifestyle website thetig.com, but closed them down ahead of her wedding to Harry.
The Sussexes’ new Instagram account has been introduced less than a month after the royal family published new guidelines for members of the public interacting with them on social media.
It warned that trolls who post offensive or abusive messages on official royal channels will be blocked, and may even be reported to the police.
Another cause close to their hearts is wildlife and in the gallery Prince Harry, is seen far right, helping to tip a sedated elephant before it’s relocated to a wildlife reserve in Malawi, Africa
Another of the snaps shared on Harry and Meghan’s Instagram account, believed to be taken during a stop on the royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji last year
Kensington Palace’s account, which has now been assigned to Prince William and Kate, currently stands at 7.1M followers – but will Harry and Meghan overtake them?
This followed news that Kensington Palace staff were spending hours each week moderating online abuse aimed at Kate and pregnant Meghan.
Some of the worst, hate-filled personal abuse is said to be between rival fans of the duchesses.
The royal family’s website said the guidelines were introduced to try to maintain a safe environment on channels run by the three households, and it called for users to show ‘courtesy, kindness and respect’.
At the moment, Harry and Meghan do not have a separate Twitter account, but their names have been removed from the @KensingtonRoyal Twitter account bio, which now reads: ‘The official account of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Royal Foundation, based at Kensington Palace.’
Harry and Meghan take control of their image with their own Instagram account
A brand expert has claimed Harry and Meghan have joined Instagram in an effort to take control of their image
An expert has claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have unveiled their own Instagram account in an effort to take control of their image.
Nick Ede, Popular Culture Expert and CEO of East of Eden, told The Sun: ‘Harry and Megan have shown themselves to be stand out Royals who are embracing their work commitments in a progressive and passionate way.
‘Like Kate when she took the official images of her children, I think we will see Harry and Meghan controlling their image and the communication of their life and relationship using Instagram as a tool to do this.
‘Meghan had her own popular website, The Tig, which was highly stylised so I suspect she will have a lot of input in the style and what they want to say,’
‘It also shows a willingness to be out there in the public eye because Instagram is not for shrinking violets’.