Meghan Markle Makes First Video Appearance After Lilibet's Arrival To Mark 40th Birthday

Aug 05, 2021 by apost team

After the incredible last year she's had, Meghan Markle topped it off by turning 40 years old yesterday. She and Prince Harry have had an incredibly eventful 2021 so far, not to mention their major life change by moving to the U.S. last year. 
This summer alone has been huge for the couple, with the birth of their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, on June 4 kicking things off. Named in honor of both her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, Lilibet's birth propelled the couple back into the press after a few months of laying low due to their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March. 

Then mere days after giving birth to their daughter, the Duchess of Sussex released her very first children's book titled "The Bench." The story began as a poem that Markle wrote to Harry one Father's Day before it was turned into a book with gorgeous illustrations by Christian Robinson. Released on June 8, it didn't take long for "The Bench" to become a #1 New York Times bestseller, proving that Markle's talents lie in much more than just acting. Markle then gave an interview to NPR about "The Bench," which was her first one since her and Harry's interview with Winfrey.

While many expected Meghan to have an intimate birthday celebration in Montecito, Meghan actually spent her birthday making her very first video appearance since Lilibet's birth. The mom-of-two launched a new women's work initiative yesterday, called 40x40. The global project encourages people to give 40 minutes of their time to support women who are returning to the workforce.

Read on to learn more about Meghan's birthday video and the 40x40 initiative. 

In the year since Meghan Markle celebrated her 39th birthday, the couple has disentangled further from the royal family and truly begun to live their newfound independent lives — and all amid the pandemic. In March of this year, they released their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, which bared all about their time as working royals and revealed the mistreatment Markle received. 

Then came Prince Harry's television series with Winfrey, "The Me You Can't See," which took an open approach to mental health. After the birth of Lilibet in June, Markle had her own media release with "The Bench." After hitting the #1 New York Times bestseller list, Markle personally thanked her fans via the couple's Archewell website. Since then, Harry has also announced a book that he'll be releasing next year, a memoir about his life and the lessons he's learned. It's no secret that the public wants new material from the couple, and after planning for much of last year, their projects are finally being released into the world. 

Now for her big 40th, Meghan has revealed yet another project, as the mom is just refusing to slow down. Meghan filmed the home video with actress Melissa McCarthy, in which Melissa came up with several outrageous ideas on how Meghan was celebrating her 40th birthday. Melissa jokingly suggested a "Suits" reunion, as well as a yacht party. However, Meghan expressed while laughing that she wasn't too keen on any of those ideas, including Melissa's proposals for matching tattoos. After Melissa's antics, Meghan revealed that she was celebrating her 40th by launching the 40x40 project. 

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In the video, Meghan said:

"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." 

By teaming up with 40 "friends, activists, athletes, artists, and world leaders," Meghan wants to kick off a global effort for people to offer 40 minutes of mentorship to women reentering the workforce.

Meghan said:

"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."

Among the 40 women already enlisted to mentor is singer Adele, poet Amanda Gorman, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and fashion designer Stella McCartney.

At the end of the video, during the bloopers, viewers caught a glimpse of Prince Harry as he was featured juggling outside a window behind Meghan. Melissa spots Harry first and laughs before Meghan turns around to also laugh at her husband's funny cameo. 

What do you think about Meghan's 40x40 initiative? Isn't it a cool way to celebrate her 40th? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this on to other Meghan & Harry fans you know!