Meghan Launches New 40×40 Initiative to Mark Her 40th Birthday – UPDATED 8/8

8/8: Scroll down for the latest updates!

It’s Meghan’s fortieth birthday and, in typical Duchess of Sussex fashion, she is using her special day to focus on others.

To mark her milestone birthday, Meghan announced on Archewell’s website her new 40×40 initiative in a video with Melissa McCarthy, encourages people around the world to commit to giving 40 minutes of mentorship to support women going back to work.

In a statement on Archewell’s website, the 40×40 initiative was called “a global effort encouraging people around the world to commit to giving 40 minutes of their time to support women going back to work.” Meghan asked 40 of her friends – activists, athletes, artists, world leaders, and more – to participate by contributing 40 minutes of mentorship to women reentering the workforce post-pandemic. Some of those who have committed their time include Adele, Amanda Gorman, Gloria Steinem, and Stella McCartney.

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.”

Melissa McCarthy jokes with Meghan about getting matching tattoos.

Video clip below via Jamie Samhan, Twitter —

The statement concludes asking those who can to participate in the initative —

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.”

Click here to see the video – and stick around until the end for an adorable Harry cameo!

UPDATE 4 Aug: Melissa McCarthy shared these messages in her Instagram stories today —

More from Melissa’s Instagram —

Also today, members of the Royal Family wished the Duchess a happy birthday via Instagram. From left to right; Prince Eugenie, The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Clarence House, The Royal Family.

We now take a quick look at what Meghan wore in the video.

Meghan appears in the video wearing a cream white wrap or cardigan, a cream white ribbed tank top, cropped white pants and camel suede shoes. We will update the post once we have more information on the brands she is wearing.

UPDATE: Laura on Twitter pointed out that Meghan’s cardigan/wrap has a belt and ribbed cuffs.

UPDATE 8/5: One of our followers suggested that Meghan is wearing the CO Collection Shawl Collar Cardigan in Ivory Wool Cashmere, $795 and the CO Collection Sweater Tank in Ivory Cashmere, $385. It looks like a good match – ribbed cuffs, ribbed knit and the belt.

Here are some #MatchMeg options we found for her tank — J. Crew ‘Fine Ribbed Favorite Tank’, $27 or the Banana Republic sweater tank, $59.

#MatchMeg’s Style with this cardigan from Gap – Lightweight Cardigan, $16 or this one from Theory, $197.

Meghan’s rolled/cropped pants could also be from CO – Elastic Waist Trouser In Ivory Stretch Crepe, $695 — also available in black, $244 (on sale).

Thanks to our follower, Kathleen, for the suggestion!

These crop cotton pants from CO are also a good suggestion — Drawstring pant in white cotton, $450.

#RepliMeg the look with these linen pants from Mango, $36 or the drawstring style, $36. Banana Republic Factory also offers an off-white linen crop pant, $42.

Her shoes may be Manolo Blahnik BB pumps (also available here) or Paul Andrew ‘Pump It Up’ pumps (first worn in Ireland, July 2018) or an entirely new pair. It’s a bit hard to see in the video and the angle of her foot. The soles of the shoes appear to be “new” and not as scuffed from walking on them outside. We will update the post should we find out more information.

Meghan’s zodiac necklaces are by LA-based jewelry designer, Logan Hollowell. She is wearing the Gemini Constellation, $1785, (Lili’s zodiac sign) and Taurus Constellation, $1600, (Archie’s zodiac sign).

The necklaces come in yellow gold, rose gold, white gold and are also available with white sapphires starting at around $900.

For a budget friendly version, try the Zales Zodiac Constellation necklace starting at $119 or the MS Collective necklace, $27. Etsy also offers similar necklaces here.

She is also wearing the gold Cartier Tank watch (which once belonged to Princess Diana) as well as two gold bracelets and pinky ring.

It’s possible the gold bracelet is her Jennifer Meyer 18k gold bezel tennis bracelet ($3000) – first seen for the VaxLive concert. The other bracelet she is wearing is her Cartier ‘Love’ bangle.

UPDATE: Laura on Twitter suggests that Meghan may be wearing her Lorainne Schwartz pink ring, first seen in the TIME 100 photos. Logan Hollowell also has a similar ring here.

What’s on Meghan’s desk and in her office —

Meghan’s teacup and dishes are Burleigh Pottery. It is the Black Regal Peacock Breakfast Cup set, $78) — also available in the UK from the Burleigh site here, £44 and Black Regal Peacock Breakfast Saucer, $28 — also available from the Burleigh UK site here, £15.

From the Harrod’s site, the pattern is describe as follows —

‘A contemporary take on a traditional Burleigh design, the Black Regal Peacock collection is characterised by exquisitely detailed birds and ornate edging, bringing majestic charm to every occasion. This breakfast cup is crafted from the finest English earthenware, achieving the distinct decoration through a centuries-old technique of transferring from intricately hand-engraved rollers.’

Thanks to our friend Jen who spotted the Hermes ‘Avalon III’ throw blanket, $1550, on the chair next to Meghan.

Copies of Meghan’s children’s book, The Bench, can be seen on her desk. The books propping up her laptop are from Taschen – architecture series, $16 each, and Photography: The Definitive Visual History by Tom Ang, $26.70. It is also available from Target here.

Thanks to @imadinoroar via Twitter for the finds.

UPDATE: It has been suggested that Meghan’s paper trays, seen on her desk, are from Target, $10.

UPDATE 8/5: A black zip monogrammed portfolio or laptop sleeve can be seen on her desk as well.

While it’s hard to say exactly which one she owns, it’s possible it may be the laptop sleeve from Smythson (a brand she’s used before) – the Ludlow black leather laptop sleeve, now $375.

We also saw this one from Leatherology as a close #MatchMeg style — Executive Zipper Portfolio in black, $275.

UPDATE 8/5: We’ve had a lot of questions about the brands/designers of Meghan’s desk and serving tray.

It looks like Meghan’s desk is the Classic Home Bordeaux 83″ dining table available at the following stores: Memoky.com – on sale $1599 and Warehouse Direct, $1465.

Thanks to our followers on Instagram for the find.

Try these table styles to copy the look!

Aberdeen rectangular dining table, $890 or the Ceylon Whitewash Rectangular Dining Table, $629.

UPDATE 8/5: We haven’t been able to find any information on Meghan’s serving tray. It appears to be a galvanized metal, round tray with brass handles and trim. If you look closely near the handles you can see that the tray has a 1/4-1/2 inch lip around the edge of it as well.

The closest matching trays we found were from Anthropologie (sorry we don’t have a photo) and Pottery Barn. The Pottery Barn trays are a very close match in style however they have copper handles and trim. We couldn’t find any from PB that had brass handles.

We did find these similar pieces to ‘get the look’.

Target Farmhouse Iron Serving Tray 3 pack, $37 / Deco 79 Farmhouse 2 Pack, $31 / Creative Co-Op Galvanized Metal, $46

UPDATE 8/8: Meghan’s water bottle or carafe on her desk appears to be glass with a stopper and paneled or ridged sides (see second image pointing to panel). We don’t see the hinge for the stopper in the image so were not sure if it is or isn’t a hinged stopper or if the hinge was simply removed. The closest match we found to Meghan’s is this Leifheit reusable bottle from Wayfair, $8.

You can also try these to ‘get the look’ from Ikea, the Korken glass bottle with stopper, $3 and Target’s Bormioli Rocco Swing Bottle 34oz, $6.

The wood tripod with that we think is a brass telescope that is sitting to the right of Meghan’s desk has not been identified. It’s difficult to tell exactly by the image. We’ve found some similar styles to ‘get the look’.

Meghan’s tripod telescope / Maritime Brass Antique Double Barrel Designer Telescope with Wooden Tripod, $149 / Urban Designs Antique Replica Brass Telescope, $195 / Victorian Marine Antique Floor Standing Brass Telescope, $109

Meghan’s large leaf tree in the corner to the left of the fireplace is a Fiddle Leaf Fig.

Try these to #RepliMeg her style — the 72″ Artificial Fiddle Leaf Tree in Pot by Threshold, $130 or the World Market 6 Foot Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, $180.

While we don’t know the identity of Meghan’s quartz cluster healing crystals on her desk, this is a good option to get the look – CrystalTears Quartz Cluster, $14.

What Meghan’s pets use —

UPDATE 8/5: Guy’s dog bed is from The Foggy Dog — the Ticking Stripe Dog Bed (starting at $45 to $229).

The brand confirmed on their Instagram stories about the bed.

The dog water bowl spotted in the below screenshot of Meghan is from Waggo – the Dipper Ceramic Dog Bowl, $24. The company confirmed the piece is their product on Instagram.

Be sure to check back on the site for another special birthday post today and continued updates of this post!

Happy Birthday Meghan — we hope all your wishes come true!