If you cast your minds back to just one year ago, you might remember a certain new Instagram account to enter the social scene and explode with millions of followers within days.
Indeed Sussex Royal, AKA the official account of Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, was one of the royal accounts to follow.
Sharing anecdotes, announcements and all of those never-before-seen pictures, we were treated to insights from the royal couple’s life, both pre and post baby Archie, like never before.
But now, as the account teeters on its one year anniversary (April 2, to be exact), it looks like the pair have finished what they started.
For context, Harry and Meghan shared a shock announcement (shared via their Instagram page, of course) on January 9th this year, which stipulated that the pair would be stepping back as senior royal family members and working to become financially independent.
Thus began several weeks of arrangements made between the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Harry and Meghan.
Finally, it was decided that the pair would formally transition into this new chapter as of March 31 – with one catch: they would no longer be able to use the Sussex Royal title.
The pair shared behind-the-scenes moments on their Instagram account.
(Instagram / @SussexRoyal)This meant one, glaring thing: Their Sussex Royal Instagram account, one that had garnered a huge following (11 million strong, by this point) and ample engagement would have to change with the royal couple’s roles.
How that Instagram transition will occur is still in question, but what we do know is that Sussex Royal account has been left to the wayside for now.
Confirming the feat, the pair took to the platform on Monday to share the update with their fans – just one day before their March 31 cut off.
Posting an on-brand navy blue image on their signature template, white-coloured text read: “Thank you to this community – for the support, the inspiration, and the shared commitment to the good in this world.”
In the caption, the couple wrote: “As we can all feel, the world at this moment seems extraordinarily fragile. Yet we are confident that every human being has the potential and opportunity to make a difference—as seen now across the globe, in our families, our communities and those on the front line—together we can lift each other up to realise the fullness of that promise.”
They continued to reference the ongoing affects of the COVID-19 health pandemic.
“What’s most important right now is the health and wellbeing of everyone across the globe and finding solutions for the many issues that have presented themselves as a result of this pandemic.”
They then explained how they would now be focusing on their new chapter, and finding their own unique voice as a way to contribute to the current situation that world is facing.
“While you may not see us here, the work continues,” they added.
Finally the pair signed off with a hopeful hint that this won’t be the last we see from them: “We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You’ve been great! Until then, please take good care of yourselves, and of one another. Harry and Meghan.”
Within four hours, the post garnered over 200,000 likes – a sign that many were in support of the next step to be taken by Harry and Meghan.
The pair are now residing in California, having relocated there from their former temporary home on Vancouver Island, Canada.
Currently isolating with their 10-month-old son Archie, we’re sure they’ve got plenty of planning to do behind the scenes during this unexpected downtime.
We’ll be watching this space!
WATCH: Prince Harry and Meghan share their favourite moments from 2019:
