Prince Harry Makes a Hilarious Cameo in Meghan Markle's 40th Birthday Video
Today marks Meghan Markle's 40th birthday and she's pulling out all the stops. In honor of the big day, the Duchess of Sussex is launching a charitable initiative entitled 40x40, and is receiving help from a few big names.
In the video above, Meghan chats with actress Melissa McCarthy about the project, which asks individuals to dedicate 40 minutes of their day to helping a woman returning to the workforce after the pandemic. She's asking 40 of her celebrity friends to help out in the effort.
"Because I’m turning 40, I’m asking 40 friends to donate 40 minutes of their time to help mentor a woman who is mobilizing back into the workforce," Meghan said in the video. "Over 2 million women in the US alone and tens of millions around the world have lost their jobs due to Covid and I think if we all do it and all commit 40 minutes to some sort of act of service, we can create a ripple effect."
Though the video was released in honor of 40x40, the Duchess and McCarthy were not afraid to have some fun, as well. McCarthy begins the video playing with a Rubix cube and then dons a fascinator, gloves, and a tea cup in honor of the birthday girl. As Meghan tries to describe how she's spending her birthday, McCarthy suggests a number of off-the-wall ideas.
In an especially funny moment, McCarthy guesses about the Duchess's birthday surprise, referencing the Duke and Duchess's pregnancy announcement, "Is it another photo under a tree where you’re looking very peaceful?"
Meghan pokes fun at herself, noting, "Peaceful under a tree is me every day."
Viewers should also make sure they watch until the end of the video, as a special surprise from Prince Harry is featured in the bloopers. And according to PEOPLE, a photo of their daughter Lili can be seen in a picture frame on Meghan's desk.
Per a press release, the other bold-faced names participating in the 40x40 project include Adele, Amanda Gorman, Amanda Nguyen, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Gloria Steinem, José Andrés, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, and Stella McCartney.
The duchess also wrote a personal note about the initiative, which she posted on her and Prince Harry's foundation website, Archewell.com. Read the full message below:
In reflecting on my 40th birthday and the many things I am grateful for, I’m struck that TIME IS AMONG OUR GREATEST AND MOST ESSENTIAL GIFTS: Time with our loved ones, time doing the things we love, time spent learning, laughing, growing, and the sacred time we have on this earth. Amongst the most valuable gifts of time is also time spent in service to others knowing that it can contribute to incredible change. To that last point, and with my 40th lap around the sun in mind, it made me wonder: what would happen if we all committed 40 minutes to helping someone else or to mentoring someone in need? And then what would happen if we asked our friends to do the same?
In the past two years, and in large part because of the COVID-19 pandemic, TENS OF MILLIONS OF women around the world have left the workforce, including over two million women in the U.S. So many of these women are also SHOULDERING THE BRUNT OF THE CRISIS when it comes to unpaid labor, including schooling and caring for family members. And the latest research shows that FEWER WOMEN THAN MEN WILL REGAIN WORK as we recover from the pandemic.
I believe mentorship is one way to help women regain confidence and rebuild their economic strength, and for my birthday, I have asked 40 friends, activists, athletes, artists, and world leaders to help kickoff a global effort by contributing 40 MINUTES OF MENTORSHIP to support women re-entering the workforce. With this time, I hope they each help someone advance a professional life on her own terms, and, I hope that they inspire countless others to give 40 minutes of their time as well.
If you are able, please JOIN US and pledge 40 minutes today in service of others in the way that feels right to you. The time that you donate can contribute to a GLOBAL WAVE OF SERVICE and set in motion meaningful impact in our own communities, and across the world.
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