Meghan Markle announces new initiative on her 40th birthday

Meghan Markle has kicked off her 40th birthday by giving back.

The Duchess of Sussex launched a new initiative on the Archewell website, called 40x40.

The project, announced alongside a hilarious video with actress Melissa McCarthy, involves getting famous friends to give up their time to mentor women re-entering the workforce post-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," the duchess wrote.

RELATED: From passion projects to family time: Meghan's life at 40

The philanthropist reflected on her latest "lap around the sun" and the past two years where some two million women in the US have been forced out of the workforce, she says, while also taking on a greater burden at home.

This is what prompted the idea, Meghan tells fans.

"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," the duchess said.

"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?"

The mum-of-two shared her hopes that her initiative might inspire other women to do similar things in their local communities.

"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 clip accompanying the written announcement of the new project, marks the duchess's first video appearance since the birth of her daughter Lilibet in June.

Meghan is seen wearing what appears to be a sleeveless white midi dress with a shawl or longline cardigan draped over the top, with mustard-coloured suede pumps, as she sits at a desk with her laptop propped up by a stack of her children's book, The Bench, which was released earlier this year.

McCarthy provides comic relief by changing into her Sunday best and bringing out a cup of tea, wearing an oversized hat and sunglasses, suggesting they have a yacht party for Meghan's 40th.

The Bridesmaids star also broaches the topic of a Suits reunion special, which Meghan, who stared in the drama before marrying into the royal family, declines.

But McCarthy isn't the only one bringing the laughs — Prince Harry gets everyone giggling as he appears juggling in the background in the bloopers at the end.

The duchess has a handful of famous faced on board to mentor a woman in their community including: singer Adele, young poet Amanda Gorman, lawyer Gloria Steinem, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau (the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau), fashion designer Stella McCartney, as well as Amanda Nguyen, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, José Andrés and Dr. Nadine Burke Harris.

Meghan is said to be celebrating her milestone birthday with family in Los Angeles, her second birthday in their Montecito home but her first with daughter Lilibet.