Meghan Markle lands first job after quitting royal life

Meghan Markle’s first job after quitting life as a senior royal has been announced.

Disney+ confirmed the Duchess of Sussex has narrated an original movie Elephant which will stream on the new service from 3 April.

The film is about a family of elephants and their journey across the Kalahari Desert in Africa and will come out just two days after she officially steps back as a working royal.

Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, have not carried out any public engagements since 9 March, when they attended the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey with the rest of the Royal Family.

But the official date they stop being working royals is 31 March.

The couple’s announcement in January came as a huge shock, as they announced they wanted to step back from their roles as senior members of the Royal Family, and make their own money.

Until now, there was little confirmation about what that could look like.

However it was reported by The Times in January that Meghan had signed a deal with Disney for a voiceover to in exchange for a donation to charity Elephants Without Borders.

The deal hinted at how the duke and duchess could use their status to benefit charities.

Disney said the film follows African elephant Shani and her son Jomo as their herd make a journey across the Kalahari Desert while led by their great matriarch Gaia.

Disney+ announced the duchess’s film at the same time as one narrated by actor Natalie Portman.

Portman’s voiceover is on a film about Dolphins.

According to Press Association, it is understood that Meghan was approached by Elephant’s filmmakers last summer, who asked if she would consider recording the narration.

To celebrate its release, Disneynature and the Disney Conservation Fund will support the wildlife charity Elephants Without Borders, an organisation working in Botswana ensuring people and elephants thrive.

Prince Harry and Meghan attended a red carpet premiere of The Lion King in July last year, when it appeared Harry touted his wife for work.

In one clip Harry told the film’s director Jon Favreau: “Next time, if anyone needs any extra voiceover work, we can make ourselves available.”

Former Suits actor Meghan then said: “That’s really why we’re here – to pitch.”

Earlier this week, Al Jean, showrunner for The Simpsons said he would also welcome working with Meghan.

He told the Radio Times: “We’ve talked about Harry and Meghan.

“I hear she wants to do voiceover work. So if they’re reading this, give us a call.”

With the couple in their last days as senior royals, they have been laying the groundwork behind the scenes for a not-for-profit global organisation based in North America, but full details and the launch date have yet to be revealed.

A source said: “They’re busy working as they always have been.”

They will have to give up the use of the word royal, which means a new handle for their Instagram, as well as new branding.

The announcement about Meghan’s job comes soon after her father-in-law confirmed he has coronavirus.

Prince Harry is said to have spoken to his father Charles after he contracted the disease. Charles is still working and is in good spirits.

Harry and Meghan are understood to be taking precautions since their return to Canada after their final engagements in the UK.

Words by Rebecca Taylor

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