Meghan Markle could make thousands off her Instagram account alone if she is careful not to do one particular thing, a PR expert has warned.
The Duchess of Sussex has been particularly active this month on her official Instagram – launched on New Year’s Day – giving us an unprecedented glimpse into her life.
Prince Harry’s wife has shared all different kinds of things, including behind-the-scenes moments from the Invictus Games in Canada, selfie videos in her home, and sweet moments with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Now a PR expert has said that as Meghan – who was dubbed a “mega influencer” – braces for the launch of her lifestyle series on Netflix, as well as her brand, As Ever, this spring, she could potentially make a big profit for herself just off her social media alone if she carries on posting as regularly.
Renae Smith, founder and director of The Atticism told the Express: “This is where things get interesting.
“Meghan is moving away from the more reserved, royal-adjacent image and leaning into a style of content that mirrors influencers rather than public figures.
“That shift isn’t a mistake—it’s actually much more aligned with her natural brand.”
She added: “If she continues to post regularly and build engagement, brand deals are absolutely on the table. At 1.9 million followers, she falls into the mega-influencer category.
“Industry standards suggest influencers at this level can command anywhere from £8,000 ($10,000) to £12,000 ($15,000) per sponsored post, depending on engagement.
“That number could go even higher for premium collaborations in her areas of interest, particularly in lifestyle, wellness, and beauty sectors.”
The PR expert warned that Meghan’s “biggest challenge” will be brand risk assessment, as companies could hesitate to align with her “due to her polarising reputation”, while others could see the value in collaborating with her.
She said: “If she continues this influencer-style presence, expect to see more subtle brand alignments—whether through direct sponsorships or strategic partnerships tied to her personal ventures.”
But Ms Smith added that Meghan’s global recognition could help her earn much higher earnings compared to other influencers in the industry with a higher follower count, citing gymnast Livvy Dunne, with 5.3million followers, fashion blogger Chiara Ferragni, with a whopping 28.7million followers and fitness influencer Kayla Itsines, with 16million followers, as examples.
The expert explained: “It’s important to contextualise her potential earnings by comparing her to other influencers with similar follower counts—but also account for her much higher visibility.
“Even if people don’t follow her, they almost certainly know who she is.
“That kind of global recognition carries weight, and if I were managing her, I’d factor that into a higher rate than what a typical influencer with her follower count might command.”
She added: “With Meghan, that engagement is a question mark. She has comments turned off, meaning interaction is limited to likes.
“Does that affect her marketability? Probably… maybe? It’s hard to say at this stage. Brands will likely consider her for collaborations—particularly those targeting the aspirational housewife/princess demographic—but they’ll do so cautiously.
“Meghan is a gamble. Some brands will take the risk, but many won’t. Her ability to land high-profile partnerships will depend on how she navigates this next phase of her brand.”
