Meghan Markle is back in the spotlight after rubbing shoulders with two of the most powerful women in Hollywood – hinting at a move back into acting and producing.

Last week, the Duchess of Sussex attended the ‘Power of Women’ gala in Los Angeles and revealed on the red carpet that she and Prince Harry were working on future projects.

“We have so many exciting things on the slate,” she said. “I can’t wait until we can announce them. We’re just really proud of what we’re creating, and my husband is loving it too.”

Meghan’s reinvention as a Hollywood producer comes after her and Harry’s standing in A-list circles has reportedly dwindled over recent months thanks to the big players in Tinsel Town allegedly keeping their distance – due to the controversy of the tell-all Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan, as well as Harry’s bombshell memoir Spare – damaging relationships with Prince William and Kate Middleton.

But an insider explains that any fallout could soon be forgotten with the former Suits star working hard to slot back into the inner A-list circle.

“Meghan was totally in her element at this event, she got the full-on A-list treatment and was seated at the best table in the place alongside Oprah. That went a long way to boosting her confidence and calming any nerves she had leading up to the event,” they say.

“Everyone was coming over to kiss up to her. It really hit home and made her swell with pride that she was the main event and centre of attention, recognised not just for her celebrity or connections to Harry, but as a pioneer and leader amongst the most impressive of peers.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not had the easiest search for success following their announcement to step down as senior members of the Royal Family in January 2020.

The pair moved to Meghan’s home state of California and signed multimillion-dollar deals with Spotify and Netflix, in the form of Meghan’s podcast Archetypes and Netflix series Harry & Meghan last year.
But the podcast in which the Duchess interviewed celebrities, activists and experts to explore “labels that try to hold women back” was scrapped after 12 episodes. The Sussexes were also criticised for low content output on Netflix.

However, following this collapse, reports suggest the husband and wife are changing direction in planning to produce multi-million Netflix film Meet Me At The Lake.
Meghan and Harry bought the rights to the £3m romance fiction novel about a couple who meet in their 30s, which has some parallels to their own relationship, including one of the characters losing a parent in a car crash.

And now it seems Meghan may be set on this career path as a new direction for the Sussex brand as an insider reveals, “Meghan’s telling people how all this hard work and schmoozing is finally paying off. The entertainment world is very much her oyster right now and will be that way long into the future.

“For a good while she was hung up on wooing the Clooney and Obama types but now that’s no longer the plan because she’s come to the conclusion they’re actually rivals who might never want to help or associate with her.

“Make no mistake, Meghan’s ego and self-belief is higher now than it’s ever been. She’s going to enjoy this 2024 rollout and longs for the day William, Kate and others are crawling on their hands and knees asking her for favours.”

Meghan’s recent mingling with big players, including American film producer Janet Yang, who made her name working for Steven Spielberg, and Pearlena Igbokwe, the Nigerian-born chairman of Universal Studio Group, has left the Duchess feeling like a ‘bona fide Hollywood queen’, the source explains.

“This type of buzz is a thousand times more exciting and rewarding than what she experienced back in England. Instead of being suffocated and controlled within an outdated, mouldy old system, Meghan’s being lauded and wooed by the biggest names in entertainment on the planet – and building a legacy that will go on forever in her name.

“That’s everything she ever dreamed of and now it’s here, she’s going to savour and relish every single moment.”

This hunger for power is only made stronger knowing the royals and her other critics across the pond are observing her reach a new level of star power.

“This is what drives Meghan, without question,” the source says. “But what’s even sweeter is that she doesn’t have to sing and dance or grovel for these opportunities – so she says – because they’re all coming her way organically. And that’s one hell of a triumph, especially in Hollywood where it’s hard to get to that whole new level.”

With the SAG strike over, Hollywood wants to produce new content – so it’s no surprise the Duchess praised the ‘everlasting impact’ of her TV series ‘Suits’ at the gala, the show she made her name on.

Though a Sussex spokesman denied Meghan had plans to return to acting, there’s no denying the Sussexes need money coming in with some experts estimating she could make up to £1million an episode in the US and earn more than £2million producing a film.

“Meghan’s looking forward to directing movies,” our source says. “She’s saying there are stacks of options in her in-tray and she’s taking her time to choose the one that deserves her attention the most.

“In her mind she’s a genius who’s now in this unique position whereby she can mentor and educate others, nurturing talent and highlighting important causes.

“Harry will have a big role in this of course, but it’s Meghan who’s very much driving the bus here. She has huge things planned with The Tig’s relaunch – think the biggest names in wellness and lifestyle on the planet, plus investment that will take it way past any of its rivals like GOOP. If anything, she figures the likes of Gwyneth and Reese will be looking for her help and investment, not so much the other way around.”

It seems Meghan is on the cusp of reinventing herself as the queen of Hollywood, eager to be the one calling the shots, leaving her royal associations well and truly behind her.

The source adds, “She has had some seriously hard knockdowns in the past year, but she’s taken the time out to regroup and she’s now started her comeback and bragging that this time, she’s going to rise right to the top, and doesn’t need to ride anyone’s coat tails to do it.

“The sky is the limit for Meghan now and she’s convinced it won’t be long before she’s feted and recognised by everyone – royals included – for this stunning success story she feels is so richly deserved.”