There’s no doubt that Princess Diana would be big on social media. The “people’s princess” had millions of followers before social media was even invented. Before we had selfies, she was one of the most photographed people in the world. 

So it’s safe to say Instagram would have been her thing. Before social media, Princess Diana was already using photographs very strategically. She knew her power as a public figure, and she tried to bring awareness to various causes through photography.

She was pictured holding hands with a man suffering from AIDS, during an epidemic of the disease. The public didn’t know a lot about how HIV and AIDS were transmitted. By being photographed simply holding hands with someone with the disease, Princess Diana educated the public without a word. 

Princess Diana was brilliant in her ability to use her image for the greater good. She never had the chance to try out social media, but her children have. And they’re using social media platforms to carry on her legacy.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are active on Instagram

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With the festive holiday season upon us, it’s also a reminder to reflect on those in need – those who may feel lonely, hungry, homeless, or may be experiencing the holidays for the first time without loved ones. It’s an important time of year to help those around you who may be less fortunate, or who would appreciate even the smallest act of kindness. Continuing our monthly tradition of highlighting accounts that do good, and inspired by the “Twelve Days of Christmas” – we have selected twelve organisations caring for those in need – especially at this time of year. There are, thankfully, so many organisations around the world doing good on global and grassroots levels, many of which are not on Instagram. Check out the accounts we have chosen and please share those in your own communities that are making a difference. We would love to hear about the ones that inspire you – so please tell us and add your country’s flag! Images used are from the accounts we are now following.

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Dec 1, 2019 at 10:09am PST

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, made an Instagram account earlier this year. A lot of thought went into the Sussex Royal account. The couple was very careful about their color scheme, and all pictures are uniformly formatted with white borders.

Duchess Meghan apparently even studied Instagram algorithms. It’s not because they wanted to maximize likes on their selfies. They use their page almost exclusively for promoting charitable causes. 

Every month they post about a new cause. And usually, pictures of the duke and duchess are taken at charitable events or other meetings to promote social causes. 

One royal expert says it’s exactly what Princess Diana would have done on social media. According to the expert: “Diana would be so proud of what Harry and Meghan are doing with their platform at the moment – being creative with it, thinking outside the box, doing things differently.”

It’s not just social media

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We are proud to announce that Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Sussex is the Guest Editor for the September issue of @BritishVogue. For the past seven months, The Duchess has curated the content with British Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful to create an issue that highlights the power of the collective. They have named the issue: “Forces for Change” For the cover, The Duchess chose a diverse selection of women from all walks of life, each driving impact and raising the bar for equality, kindness, justice and open mindedness. The sixteenth space on the cover, a mirror, was included so that when you hold the issue in your hands, you see yourself as part of this collective. The women on the cover include: @AdwoaAboah @AdutAkech @SomaliBoxer @JacindaArdern @TheSineadBurke @Gemma_Chan @LaverneCox @JaneFonda @SalmaHayek @FrankieGoesToHayward @JameelaJamilOfficial @Chimamanda_Adichie @YaraShahidi @GretaThunberg @CTurlington We are excited to announce that within the issue you’ll find: an exclusive interview between The Duchess and former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, a candid conversation between The Duke of Sussex and Dr Jane Goodall, inspirational articles written by Brené Brown, Jameela Jamil and many others. Equally, you’ll find grassroots organisations and incredible trailblazers working tirelessly behind the scenes to change the world for the better. • “Guest Editing the September issue of British Vogue has been rewarding, educational and inspiring. To deep dive into this process, working quietly behind the scenes for so many months, I am happy to now be able to share what we have created. A huge thanks to all of the friends who supported me in this endeavour, lending their time and energy to help within these pages and on the cover. Thank you for saying “Yes!” – and to Edward, thank you for this wonderful opportunity.” – The Duchess of Sussex #ForcesForChange

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jul 28, 2019 at 2:26pm PDT

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may use Instagram to promote causes, but they’re not putting all their eggs in the social media basket.

The duchess also promoted various activists on her Vogue cover in September. The issue was highly publicized, and she undoubtedly brought a lot of awareness to some important causes. 

Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry also took a trip to Africa this fall. The journey was highly publicized. Even people who don’t follow the royal couple on social media likely heard about the trip, and what they were doing there. 

They retraced some of Princess Diana’s steps while there. Prince Harry was photographed walking across the same former minefield in Angola as his mother. The princess visited in the 1990s.

Prince Harry and Kate Middleton deserve some credit too

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Today, The Duchess of Cambridge became Royal Patron of @Family_Action. Her Majesty The Queen @TheRoyalFamily has passed the patronage to The Duchess having held the role for over 65 years. The Duchess joined children and families supported by Family Action at a Christmas tree farm and helped them to make Christmas decorations, eco-friendly reindeer food, and post their letters to Father Christmas! Her Royal Highness also helped the children find Christmas trees for Family Action pre-schools, before heading back inside for some hot chocolate. Family Action was founded in 1869 to help families in difficulty by giving them practical help and support. The charity works directly with vulnerable or disadvantaged children and families, and provides services including perinatal mental health services, counselling and therapeutic support, and the mentoring of children, young people and adults. The new patronage aligns with The Duchess’s longstanding work on the early years, and the importance of supporting children and families during this seminal period of their lives.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 4, 2019 at 9:35am PST

Markle and Prince Harry are often favorably compared to Princess Diana, but her other son is doing his part to further her legacy as well. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, also have an Instagram.

The Kensington Royal account also does its part to promote charities. Most recently, Duchess Kate was photographed during an event for the Family Action charity, and the pictures were posted on social media. 

The older royal couple has more royal duties than Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, so naturally, their social media focuses more on the formal aspect of being a royal. It’s still important to note that they are very charitable and try to bring awareness to good causes when they can.

They may not have the same knack for public promotion as Princess Diana did or the freedom as Prince Harry, but Princess Diana clearly left her older son with an impressive sense of duty to the greater good.