Meghan Markle shared a video of her joking with Melissa McCarthy to launch a new project for her 40th birthday - asking people around the world to commit 40 minutes to mentoring someone in need.
She shared the video, which shows Meghan chatting to the comedy actress on Zoom from her California home, on the Sussexes' Archewell charity page, to the delight of fans.
Alongside it she shared a message to well-wishers explaining the project and talking about the importance of time.
However, the statement also includes what could be seen as a dig at the royal family.
She writes: "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." Global wave of service is capped up and written in bold writing.
Interest in the use of the word 'service' stems back to statements made by Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes after Meghan and Harry quit the royal family.
Announcing Megxit would be permanent following a year trial period, the royal family wrote: "Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.
"The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.
"While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family."
The Queen's decision meant Harry and Meghan lost their royal patronages, including the military titles the Duke was so passionate about.
Within minutes of the Queen's statement, the Sussexes shared their own statement.
It read: "As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.
"We can all live a life of service. Service is universal."
Discussing the statement at the time, ITV's royal editor Chris Ship claims the two statements gave a pretty clear idea of what is going on behind Palace walls.
He said: "Normally with Palace statements you had to dig down to find out what really happened but I don't think you do here.
"It's a pretty sharp way to end there.. I think it rather suggests it wasn't very pleasant at all.
"That jumped out at me as soon as i read it."
The couple have continued to use the word service in their post-royal work, and the word is part of the Archewell logo along with Community, Compassion and Action.
The Queen, Prince Charles and Duke and Duchess of Sussex all took to social media to wish Meghan a happy birthday.
All three shared photos from the duchess' short time in the royal family.
The Monarch used a snap of her with her grandson's wife during their joint engagement in Chester shortly after Meghan and Harry's royal wedding.
Meghan's full message, which was posted online on Wednesday afternoon, reads: "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 US. 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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