Meghan Markle visits a township to learn about Youth Employment Services in Africa on October 2, 2019.
Meghan Markle smiles during a visit to the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland March 23, 2018. Niall Carson/Pool via Reuters
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Meghan Markle attends an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 13: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Edinburgh Castle during their first official joint visit to Scotland on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
BELFAST, UNITED KINGDOM – MARCH 23: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the iconic Titanic Belfast during their visit to Northern Ireland on March 23, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 13: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their visit Social Bite on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Owen Humphreys – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: Meghan Markle attends the Invictus Games Reception at Australia House on April 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 08: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Millennium Point on March 8, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
BATH, ENGLAND – APRIL 06: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the UK Team Trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at University of Bath on April 6, 2018 in Bath, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 13: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at Social Bite cafe in Rose Street on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
10/10 SLIDES
Is Meghan Markle ready for her close-up? The retired actress has indicated that she is considering a return to the Hollywood spotlight after stepping down from the British royal family with Prince Harry.
“Meghan is actively looking for representation. She has begun outreach,” a source tells Us Weekly exclusively, as first revealed on Us‘ “Hot Hollywood” podcast. “It can be a manager or an agent, but she’s reaching out to people to find someone to represent her for future professional projects.”
Harry, 35, first raised eyebrows in July 2019 when he informed Disney CEO Bob Iger at the Lion King premiere in London that Meghan, 38, “does voiceovers.” He then gestured toward the Suits alum, who was speaking with Beyoncé and Jay-Z nearby at the time, and said, “She’s really interested.”
Iger, 68, seemed game, telling the prince, “Sure. We’d love to try.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also spoke with The Lion King director Jon Favreau at the event. During their conversation, Meghan joked, “That’s really why we’re here — to pitch.”
Less than six months later, The Times of London reported that the former Deal or No Deal briefcase model signed a voiceover deal with Disney in return for a donation to Elephants Without Borders, a charitable organization dedicated to conserving wildlife and natural resources.
Meghan made her acting debut in a 2002 episode of General Hospital. After years of booking small TV and movie roles, she got her big break in 2011 when she was cast as Rachel Zane on the USA Network legal drama Suits. Six years later, however, she retired to become a working member of the royal family.
The Los Angeles native, who was previously married to movie director Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2013, tied the knot with Harry in May 2018. A year later, they welcomed their son, Archie, now 8 months.
Related Slideshow – Prince Harry and Meghan exit: What we know so far (Provided by Photo Services)
Following a six-week Christmas holiday in Vancouver Island, Canada, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced that they intend to step back from ‘senior’ roles in the royal family. On Jan. 8, 2020, the couple shared the news on their official Instagram handle, announcing that they wish to be “financially independent” and split their time “between United Kingdom and North America.”
Here’s what we know so far on the royal move.
The announcement
On Jan. 8, the couple posted a photo of themselves on Instagram with the statement, “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”
Buckingham Palace responds to the statement
Following the announcement, the Buckingham Palace released a statement shortly after that said, “Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
Queen arranges emergency call
On Jan. 9, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly led an emergency four-way call with Prince Charles, Prince William (L) and Prince Harry, ordering to find “immediate solution” to the situation. The teams of Charles and William were asked to arrange meetings with 10 Downing Street, the Home Office and their American and Canadian counterparts to device a suitable proposal.
Royal residence
According to their official website, the couple will continue to use Frogmore Cottage (pictured) in Windsor, England, as their official residence – with the permission of the queen. Details on their North American residence have not yet been revealed.
Royal fundings
The official website also states, five percent of the couple’s funding comes from the Sovereign Grant. The rest 95 percent of the funding are part of the income received by Prince Charles, generated by the Duchy of Cornwall. Following their stepping down, Harry and Meghan will not receive the Grant, but they hope to continue receiving funds from the Prince of Wales.
Personal net worth
According to a report by the Guardian, Prince Harry has inherited an estimated sum of $26 million (£20 million) from his mother, Princess Diana, and nearly $9.1 million (£7 million) from his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother. Owing to her acting career, Meghan has been valued around $5.2 million (£4 million).
Meghan’s Disney deal
On Jan. 11, the Times reported that Meghan has signed a voiceover deal on an undisclosed Disney project to benefit the charity, Elephants Without Borders. As part of royal regulations, the couple were earlier prohibited from earning a professional income.
Urgent meeting at Sandringham
On Jan. 13, the Queen called for an urgent meeting at the Sandringham Estate in England. As future arrangements are slated to be discussed, Meghan was expected to join in via phone call from Canada, as reported by the Associated Press.
Prince Harry and Prince William issue statement
The two brothers released a statement of denial on Jan. 13, after a U.K. newspaper reported there was a growing rift between them amid reports of “bullying.” The statement, issued on their behalf by senior spokespeople, read: “Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the the Duke of Cambridge. For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful.”
Queen says Harry and Meghan to have ‘period of transition’
After the urgent meeting at Sandringham on Jan. 13, the queen issued a statement: “My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.”
Canadian leader’s response
Speaking on the couple’s possible move to Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there are “still lots of discussions to have” over the plans. He told Global News, “There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the Royal Family, by the Sussexes themselves as to what level of engagement they choose to have… I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have. There is a general feeling of appreciation for the Sussexes.”
12/12 SLIDES
The couple announced earlier this month that they intended to “step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent” while dividing their time between the U.K. and North America. Queen Elizabeth II agreed to the transition, and Buckingham Palace later announced that Harry and Meghan would no longer use their His and Her Royal Highness titles.
A source recently told Us exclusively that Meghan is “so happy” to embark on a new chapter, and Harry is “really excited” too.
