Meghan Markle's 'awkward' comeback to the limelight marks her second attempt at Netflix fame.

In addition to reviving her social media presence, Meghan Markle also had other plans for the new year in the kitchen.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, released a trailer for her latest Netflix collaboration, "With Love, Meghan," one day after Markle shared her first post on Instagram in half a decade.

The public was quick to question her return to the spotlight after her "cringe-worthy" 2025 reel was captured by Prince Harry on the beach near their home in Montecito, Calif.

"Has anyone taken note of Meghan's absence from Instagram? It's not like Meghan and Harry have been out of the spotlight recently," said Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," to Planet Chronicle Digital.

"The video depicts Meghan running out onto the beach on a cloudy day, then slowly writing "2025" in the wet sand before she runs off. There is no dialogue, but lots of giggling. Her fans will find it endearing, while her detractors will find it awkward."

Markle shared a rare glimpse into her private life with a 30-second clip on Wednesday morning, marking the first day of the new year. She has not been active on the photo and video-sharing site since 2020, around the time she and Prince Harry announced their decision to step back from senior royal responsibilities.

She giggled while running through the frame after drawing "2025" in the sand.

"Her fans will find it charming. Her detractors will find it cringe-worthy. And the best goes on." — Christopher Andersen

Markle released a trailer for her new show on Netflix 24 hours after the initial announcement.

"Markle shared her excitement about the show on Instagram, captioning the post, "I have been so thrilled to share this with you!" She hoped that viewers would enjoy the show as much as she enjoyed making it. Markle wished everyone a happy new year and thanked the crew and team at Netflix for their support. She was grateful for the opportunity to work on the show and the positive experience it brought."

Eric Schiffer, a brand expert, stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that Markle's recent TV appearance was likely to result in low ratings.

"Schiffer stated, "It feels painfully forced. I believe it demonstrates that not all royals are entertaining. Simply observing it, I couldn't help but wonder if it was Netflix or the Montecito Home Shopping Network.""

The duchess of Sussex was seen cooking, gardening, and dancing in her kitchen alongside celebrity friends such as Mindy Kaling and Roy Choi, with Prince Harry making a brief appearance between clips.

Netflix's "Meghan Markle's How to Do Everything" series blends practical advice and candid conversations with friends, showcasing how easy it is to create beauty in unexpected places. Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection. She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, garden, and beyond, inviting viewers to do the same.

"It feels painfully forced. I think it's proof that not all royals are entertaining. Just looking at it, I was ... Is this Netflix or the Montecito Home Shopping Network?" — Eric Schiffer

A personal chef's cooking tips are not unique, making the show the least relatable.

After stepping away from their royal duties and moving to California in 2020, the couple's multi-year deal with Netflix came to fruition. In 2022, they released their bombshell docuseries, "Harry & Meghan," which earned the biggest one-day audience for any Netflix series since monitoring began in October 2022.

In 2023, they released the "Heart of Invictus" docuseries, followed by "Polo" in 2024.

Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, revealed in February that the duo had multiple projects planned with the streaming service.

"Bajaria revealed at the Next on Netflix event that they are collaborating with Brandon Reigg on several unscripted projects, including a movie, a scripted series, and a couple of unscripted shows. All of these projects are in the early stages of development."

Markle's brand narrative direction was questioned by brand expert Doug Eldridge as he looked ahead into the new year.

In 2025, brands are built through word of mouth and social media, and sustained by a track record of results and excellent customer service. However, for Markle, her brand narrative has lost control, leading to a shift in public perception and sentiment. It remains uncertain whether she intends to continue in the media and entertainment industry or if she plans to establish herself in the boutique goods space.

"A return to social media is necessary to shift away from the negative publicity and speculation, which has been largely self-inflicted, in recent years."

She has burned a lot of matches and bridges over the past few years, which has reduced her time and interest among the consumer public. Therefore, it is crucial to measure twice, cut once, and execute the landing flawlessly.