Is THIS why the Sussexes haven’t deleted their Instagram account?

A celebrity brand strategist has revealed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in the ideal position to switch their Sussex Royal Instagram account to their new Archewell Foundation.

Phil Pallen, at philpallen.co, told FEMAIL that Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, could be planning a clever PR move by transferring the 11-million strong fan following they have built up on their Instagram account, to their charity endeavours.

Describing a social media fanbase as ‘the digital equivalent of waterfront real estate’, he predicted that the couple will ‘pivot’ Sussex Royal to Archewell, once the foundation is ‘ready for its reveal’.

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Describing a social media fanbase as ‘the digital equivalent of waterfront real estate’, he predicted that the couple will ‘pivot’ Sussex Royal to Archewell, once the foundation is ‘ready for its reveal’

Phil told FEMAIL: ‘Now that Harry and Meghan have left the Royal family, they have independence to speak boldly about social movements, politics, and other topics of importance to the couple. 

‘The Sussex Royal Instagram account is a platform and tool that allows Harry and Meghan to communicate with conviction to an adoring audience. 

‘If Harry and Meghan still have authority over the Instagram account, I suspect that Harry and Meghan will pivot the Sussex Royal account to Archewell when the non-profit is ready for its public reveal.’

He explained: ‘On social media, digital real estate is everything. The Sussex Royal Instagram account is the digital equivalent of waterfront real estate. 

‘While the account isn’t being utilized to its full potential right now, it’s a symbol of legacy, and it’s a powerful tool for communicating important messages to a devout audience.

Phil revealed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (seen in South Africa last year)are in the ideal position to switch their Sussex Royal Instagram account to their new Archewell Foundation

‘The Sussex Royal account grants prime access to an audience that’s emotionally invested in the Royal family’s journey; transferring or disposing of the account would potentially sever ties with loyal fans.’ 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s defunct Instagram account – which stood at 11.3 million at its peak – has dropped 400,000 followers to 10.9 million followers following their retreat from the limelight. 

Harry and Meghan performed their final duties in March before stepping down as senior royals to focus on their own charities and build a more private life in LA – losing 200,000 followers last month alone as they are no longer able to post from their account. 

The couple were forced to drop the Sussex Royal branding as part of their release from The Firm, starting an Archewell Foundation instead, and are thought to be waiting until after the pandemic to announce any further details on their charity or any new social media accounts they may be launching. 

The pair are currently residing in actor Tyler Perry’s Hollywood mansion with their 1-year-old son Archie, were they are keeping a low profile amid ongoing charity work.

Last month the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s defunct Instagram account has dropped to 11.1 million followers following their retreat from the limelight (seen in November at the Royal Albert Hall)

The couple performed their final duties in March before stepping down as senior royals to focus on their own charities, and building a more private life in LA – and last month had 200k less followers as they have been forced to stop posting

The couple revealed their new charitable foundation ‘Archewell’ in April, which will replace Sussex Royal.  

Unveiling the new project, which will incorporate the causes close to their heart, the couple  revealed the Greek word in the project Arche – meaning source of action – was the inspiration behind the name of their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

And it has now been revealed that the couple submitted an application for their non-profit foundation to be called ‘Archeway’ with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on February 28.

The duke and duchess said they were focusing their efforts on the coronavirus pandemic but felt ‘compelled’ to reveal details of the venture.

‘Like you, our focus is on supporting efforts to tackle the global Covid-19 pandemic but faced with this information coming to light, we felt compelled to share the story of how this came to be.

‘Before SussexRoyal, came the idea of Arche – the Greek word meaning source of action.

‘We connected to this concept for the charitable organisation we hoped to build one day, and it became the inspiration for our son’s name. To do something of meaning, to do something that matters.

‘Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon.

‘We look forward to launching Archewell when the time is right.’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (pictured above on March 5) announced they will be launching a new charity

At the end of March the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hit 11.4 million followers on Instagram, just beating the Sussexes by 100,000 followers.

Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, who run the Kensington Palace Royal account only overtook Harry and Meghan ,who ran Sussex Royal, in recent months, despite being on the social network considerably longer.

The Sussexes had seen their following skyrocket since announcing their retreat from the public eye in January, but were overtaken by the Cambridges when they begun to post less amid their new life – initially started in Canada. 

The Cambridges now boast 11.9 million followers, as the royal family continue their new ‘scaled back’ model of The Firm.

The Sussexes experienced a surge in followers after their final week of royal duties, which saw them attend the Endeavour Awards, the Mountbatten Festival of Music and Commonwealth Day Service.

Meghan and Harry were also seen attending church service with the Queen, and visiting The National Theatre and Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham.

The couple apparently bid a tearful farewell to their staff during an intimate dinner, and Meghan has returned to Canada to be with baby Archie. 

At the end of March the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hit 11.4 million followers on Instagram, just beating the Sussexes by 100,000 followers 

The Cambridges now boast 11.9 million followers, as the royal family continue their new ‘scaled back’ model of The Firm