Meghan Markle celebrated her 40th birthday on August 4th by releasing a video in which she promotes a new initiative alongside comedic actress Melissa McCarthy. The highlight, however, was Prince Harry’s attempt to get in on the action by juggling outside Meghan’s window.
Meghan Markle Celebrates Her 40th Birthday
Meghan used her birthday to promote her new initiative 40×40, which is meant to encourage women to mentor unemployed women who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Amongst the most valuable gifts of time is also time spent in service to others knowing that it can contribute to incredible change,” Meghan wrote on her Archewell website. “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?”
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“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,” she added.
“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,” Meghan continued.
Meghan got many well wishes from the Royal Family for her birthday.
🎈 Wishing The Duchess of Sussex a very Happy Birthday today! pic.twitter.com/xvrRH4sEwX
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 4, 2021
Wishing a happy 40th birthday to The Duchess of Sussex! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/qekFyLPmiD
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) August 4, 2021
Meghan Markle & Melissa McCarthy Joke Around In Birthday Video Ft. Prince Harry Juggling
Actress and comedian Melissa McCarthy joins Meghan Markle in the video to help promote her 40th birthday initiative.
“Because I’m turning 40, I’m asking 40 friends to donate 40 minutes of their time to help mentor a woman who’s mobilizing into the workforce,” Meghan said in the video.
“Over two million women in the U.S. alone and tens of millions around the world have lost their jobs due to COVID. I think if we all do it and all commit 40 minutes to some act of service we can create a ripple effect.”
This was the first on-camera appearance that Meghan has made since the birth of her daughter Lilibet in June. In fact, Royal watchers say you can catch a glimpse of baby Lili in the center of the tri-fold photo frame on her mom’s desk.
From her lush office, sitting behind an over-sized desk in front of an over-sized fireplace, Meghan addresses her audience.
While Meghan and Melissa try to be funny despite the serious topic, it’s Prince Harry who brings the comic relief with a cameo at the very end and steals the show. Watch:
Royal Family biographer Angela Levin thinks there was some mocking of the Queen or at least the Royal lifestyle in the video.
Anyone else think that Meghan and her friend Melissa McCartney were mocking the Queen in the birthday video? Both holding old fashioned cup and saucer like Meg used in her blog after 1st meeting with queen. Melissa sipping from the cup wearing fancy hat and gloves?
— Angela Levin (@angelalevin1) August 5, 2021
Related: Piers Morgan Has New Nickname For Meghan Markle, And She’s Not Going To Like It
Big Birthday Bash With Oprah’s Party Planner
Meghan Markle has reportedly hired Colin Cowie, Oprah Winfrey’s party planner, to help plan a birthday party for her and her friends this weekend.
“Meghan wants a small gathering. About 65 people are invited, her closest friends and family,” a source told The Mirror. “Colin was recommended to her by Oprah who always puts on fabulous parties.”
This comes a year after Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior royals, and moved across the world to California.