Meghan Markle started the new year off fresh and returned to Instagram on Wednesday, January 1. A royal expert weighed in on the Suits star’s return to the social media platform after a 7-year hiatus, pointing at her Netflix deal amid the premiere of her upcoming lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.

“If their multimillion-dollar Netflix deal is not extended this year, it would be a disaster for them,” royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Daily Mail in a story published later that day.

At a separate point in the interview, Fitzwilliams told the outlet, “[Meghan] and [Prince] Harry were forced to stop using their @sussexroyal account. They had launched it in 2019 and received a million followers in record time. She shut her personal Instagram account and closed her successful lifestyle blog The Tig before their wedding [2018].”

Meghan, 43, and Harry, 40, stepped down from their royal duties in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California, later that year.

On Thursday, January 2, the Duchess of Sussex shared her second Instagram post to announce her upcoming Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.

“I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it,” Meghan captioned the first teaser. “Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support – and fun! As ever, Meghan.”

Fans will see Meghan stepping into her Martha Stewart shoes as she navigates her garden and kitchen alongside celebrity friends and guests including Mindy Kaling.

“I’ve always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it. Surprising people with moments that let them know I was really thinking of them,” Meghan voiced in the clip as she worked her culinary magic in the kitchen and garden at separate moments.

In one scene, the Dater’s Handbook star baked a simple, yet picturesque triple-layer raspberry shortcake for Mindy, 45.

“What?” the Office star asked with excitement while Meghan plated her a slice. “This is probably one of the most glamorous moments of my life.”

Meghan seemingly has the magic touch in the kitchen as her guests couldn’t get enough of her homemade focaccia bread and a delicious strawberry sorbet-style dessert.

The former “Archetypes” podcast host will not only showcase her skills, but also learn new things like gearing up to collect fresh honey and learning from chefs.

Harry made a quick cameo in the trailer and embraced his wife in a backyard setting. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, did not appear in the clip.

The royal couple made a reported $100 million deal with Netflix in 2020, which included multiple projects produced by Meghan and Harry’s Archewell Productions company. Things kicked off with the 2022 Netflix documentary Harry and Meghan. The docuseries not only landed a spot on the Top 10 list and No. 1 in the U.K., but also became the highest-viewed documentary premiere with a logged watch time of 81.55 million hours.

On December 10, 2024, the couple released Polo, a documentary showcasing the superstars of the equestrian sport. However, the views weren’t great and the project didn’t spark interest amongst fans.

“[Meghan and Harry] are frustrated that Polo didn’t generate much enthusiasm,” a source exclusively told In Touch in a story published on January 2.

The source later added, “Fact is, Harry and Meghan were paid an exorbitant amount of money by Netflix and have little to show for it. Whether they admit it or not, the pressure is on for the Sussexes to deliver a hit.”