Meghan Markle enlists Melissa McCarthy for '40x40' mentoring initiative

In the video, McCarthy is playing with a Rubik's Cube and claiming to be working on her organic garden when Markle reminds her that her computer's camera is on. The actress and comedian then changes into more formal attire and sips from a teacup.

"It's my 40th birthday, and I've got an idea," Markle says.

McCarthy launches into humorous possibilities: another peaceful photoshoot under a tree, matching tattoos, a Suits reunion or a yacht party.

"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," Markle finally reveals.

McCarthy commits but only if she can do it while wearing her floppy hat.

Also, in the outtakes, Prince Harry can be seen inexplicably juggling outside the window.

Markle penned a more formal letter to introduce "40x40" for the official website of Archewell, the company she and Prince Harry founded last year.

Read it 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.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their second child, a daughter named Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, on June 4. The couple also share two-year-old Archie, born in May 2019.

The couple, married May 2018, first disclosed they were expecting a girl during their explosive and Emmy-nominated interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired March 7 on CBS. They also confirmed that they don't plan on having any more children.