Sky Views: Harry and Meghan's Instagram account needs to reach a less deferential audience

Rhiannon Mills, royal correspondent

I didn't really want any more social media in my life, but like other platforms, Instagram is now another I have to constantly refresh, because the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made it the place to post their latest news.

Don't check your Instagram and you risk missing a news line about one of the most famous couples in the world right now.

From the "it's a boy" baby announcement, to a photo of baby Archie's foot, to the news that their autumn tour to Southern Africa would be their first as a family, we've read it first on @SussexRoyal.

You might think it's lazy to expect a good old fashioned press release to accompany every update from a pair of 30-somethings, especially a couple who really don't need to try hard to get publicity for the causes they want to promote or their latest project.

And yes, the traditional palace communications machine is still up and running releasing the weekly operational notes to tell us of any upcoming visits.

But it's the extra things they choose to post online that have been intriguing, particularly the updates about their family life.

Mixed in with posts about their working life as royals, there is the odd personal message written by Harry or Meghan about themselves or their son that some may say is a contradiction to their very public fight to protect the privacy of their family. Harry's post on the weekend, wishing happy birthday to his wife, was a good example. He wrote: "Happy Birthday to my amazing wife. Thank you for joining me on this adventure!' - Love H".

It's the tussle between their desire to control media access to parts of their family life, such as Archie's christening, and their public roles as part of the taxpayer-funded Royal Family that has fuelled some of the criticism against the couple.

But could we ever see Harry and Meghan use their social media platform of choice to fight back against their critics?

There have been suggestions that they chose Instagram because it's perceived as a nicer, gentler platform than others, where it's easier to edit comments on your posts.

They may think publicly addressing the recent criticism about the christening, or Meghan's decision to do Vogue is pointless. We know it's not been the Queen's way of doing things, but while Harry and Meghan haven't completely ripped up the royal rule book, they have started at least scribbling some bits out.

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They've used Instagram to write other personal messages, why not use it to defend how they want to do things?

The Royal Family, like every high profile institution, has had to adjust to the changing digital media landscape, and social media has become the modern equivalent to the traditional announcements posted outside Buckingham Palace.

It's the tussle between their desire to control media access to parts of their family life, such as Archie's christening, and their public roles as part of the taxpayer-funded royal family that has fuelled some of the criticism against the couple.

But their social media followers are a bit like those loyal supporters drawn to the palace gates. Maybe it's time for Harry and Meghan to look past that and reach out to a less deferential crowd.

:: Rowland Manthorpe is away

Sky Views is a series of comment pieces by Paste BN editors and correspondents, published every morning.

Previously on Sky Views: Lewis Goodall - No dealers are winning because they want it more