Time Magazine has compiled their now-annual list of “the 25 most influential people on the internet.” When the meteor comes, at least we’ll have spent our last moments on earth evaluating people’s influence online, right? No, it’s just… whatever, a listicle on the internet to show who’s important and buzzy on the internet. The reason why this year’s list is getting so much attention is because Time Magazine included the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Other influential internet people include (according to Time): Donald Trump, BTS, Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Lil Nas X, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, James Charles, Yashar Ali and Jameela Jamil. You can see the full list here. Here’s the Sussex writeup:
The British royal family is a notoriously tight-knit institution. So when Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, launched an independent social media account on Instagram in April, @SussexRoyal, it was bound to make waves. The handle reached 1 million followers in its first six hours, a platform record. (It’s since accrued 9.1 million.) While baby photos are among @SussexRoyal’s draws, most posts are dedicated to the pair’s work as royals. Each month, in an effort to highlight advocates and organizations focusing on issues such as climate change and mental health awareness, the account rotates the users it follows—a savvy strategy that has driven headlines. The Sussexes’ forward-thinking, cause-oriented approach to social media fits neatly with other ways they are establishing their identity beyond the crown. In June, the palace confirmed that the couple will be departing the Royal Foundation, which was started by Prince Harry and Prince William in 2009, to launch their own, separate charitable organization.
Basically, Meg and Harry made the list because they’re good at Instagram. Which is legit – they ARE good at Instagram. They’re so good at Instagram that even Kensington Palace has taken note and started not-so-subtly copying parts of the Sussexes’ social media strategy. Meaning, the Sussexes are affecting change on several different levels – they’re actually raising money for charity and drawing attention to more organizations AND they’re changing the way the Future King And Future Queen approach their jobs and their presence online too.
Photos courtesy of Instagram, Avalon Red, Backgrid.
Ha! The Royal reporters must be having a meltdown over this one.
Here comes the haters!
Happy for them!
“Basically, Meg and Harry made the list because they’re good at Instagram.”
What a time to be alive ahaha.
I agree – they’re good at the gram. But it’s just so funny that we’re living a life where we get a curated list of those who are great at social media influence. And I mean all of this without sarcasm, I honestly think it’s kind of great.
For all the horrible things that can come out of social media, I think it’s done A LOT to expose people to different views and lifestyles and cultures. I personally grew up in a really small rural area dominated by the lobster industry. It’s a VERY predominantly white town, and while it used to be a huge port town who had ships coming in and out from all over – it’s struggled in the modern world. So you end up with a TON of uneducated people who are all pretty stuck in their ways, and not expanding their views because when you’re somewhat isolated where are you getting new views and experiences without traveling? I think it’s amazing that kids are growing up with access to so much more information and culture and groups that will support them than previous generations had. For those who grew up in big culturally diverse locations it might not be as much of a big deal – but for those who didn’t have that it’s a big game changer.
I see what you’re saying & agree, the internet has brought the world to everyone. But–of course there’s a ‘but’!–that’s what us oldsters had back in the day in a different format. I grew up in a small town, but I was a big reader. I had the World Book Encyclopedia! And I had the public library! And a bit later, I read & subscribed to Newsweek, and the local newspaper. At school, again, there were the libraries! All these wonderful sources of information about other places & other people. And as I type out all those sources, I realize–they’re all dying today because of the internet. The world changes, it always has, and you learn to make the most of what you have–so now we need to ensure everyone knows how to evaluate what they read on the web, just as we all (some of us) learned to evaluate what we read in the paper, magazines, books, & etc.
The more the press hate on Harry and Meghan, the more support they receive. The constant negative attacks are actually making people protective of the Sussexes. I’m pretty indifferent to the royal family, but I am now actively cheering on Harry and Meghan. I pray for them to succeed and flourish.
Piers Morgan not on the list? I think they’ve brilliantly handled their roles and I’m not certain Harry would have taken this route without his wife. Maybe be he would have because he’s always been the brother who takes action but this is the first time he’s had support. “Forward-thinking” is the key phrase. These two are not about just cutting ribbons. I bet the future king, Charles, is going to wisely take advantage of these assets and help them amplify their message.
Piers Morgan 😂😂😂. That bloated irrelevant gasbag.
Yeah, their IG account changed how other royals handle social media, in a good way. I do think sometimes their captions get too lengthy, but its still nice to have more information about a particular charity or event.
I agree with you about their captions (and said so on a comment thread the other day). When they first got online, and were getting so much attention, both KR and Clarence House accounts started with the longer captions too, but it seems like both accounts have since cut down their captions a bit. I think Barack Obama’s Instagram is a good example of how it should be done. When one of the most revered, influential people on the planet can keep it to a solid paragraph, you know you don’t need to write a book under each photo to get your point across.
Out of curiosity I went to the Daily Mail to see how they covered this story and to see the comments. I didn’t see the story AT ALL. Granted, I didn’t do an exhaustive search so it may have been buried somewhere but the negative stories are all featured prominently.
I’m reminded of Groucho Marx: I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. The dumpster fire is on this list; I wouldn’t want to be on it!
Girl bye. The cambitches hasn’t make any list other than the fucking Tatler and that shit means nothing because they only on there because there college friend is the editor. Harry and Meghan actually made fortune list and Times. They are actually renowned. Your fave is boring and dry. No amount of propping up by royal gutter press is going to change that.