A royal expert has compared Meghan Markle’s new career move to that of Sarah Ferguson – and even Kim Kardashian.
This week, it was revealed that The Duchess of Sussex is set to make her return to the big screen, as she’s supposed to star in a new movie alongside Lily Collins, Brie Larson, and Jack Quaid.
Meghan, 44, will reportedly play herself in the film Close Personal Friends, which follows two couples where one is famous and the other is not.
‘This is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves,’ a source told The Sun. ‘She has been swamped with offers but this one felt right.’
‘Prince Harry is, of course, really supportive and quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy,’ the source added.
Meghan is best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the hit US TV-drama Suits, but also had Hollywood roles in Horrible Bosses, Get Him To The Greek and Remember Me.
However, according to royal expert Kinsey Schofield, this latest move strangely mirrors Ferguson’s post-royal path – as does a lot of other decisions that Meghan’s made since stepping down from her official role as a royal in 2020.
‘Meghan’s return to Hollywood reflects her inability to deviate from Sarah Ferguson’s post-royal playbook,’ Schofield, who is the host of Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered, told Daily Mail exclusively.
A royal expert has compared Meghan Markle’s new career move to that of Sarah Ferguson – and even Kim Kardashian
‘Meghan’s return to Hollywood reflects her inability to deviate from Sarah Ferguson’s post-royal playbook,’ Schofield, who is the host of Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered, told Daily Mail exclusively
Meghan is best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the hit US TV-drama Suits, but also had Hollywood roles in Horrible Bosses, Get Him To The Greek and Remember Me
‘Both women have written children’s book, hosted podcasts, appeared on reality television, lifestyle television, and collaborated closely with Oprah Winfrey,’ Schofield continued.
‘Fergie has produced Hollywood films, Meghan is producing Meet Me at the Lake. Fergie played herself in an episode of Friends, Meghan is now playing herself in Close Personal Friends,’ she shared.
And Schofield may have pointed out a pattern here.
Ferguson is indeed the author of many children’s books, including Budgie the Little Helicopter, which was even turned into a TV series.
Ferguson also hosted a weekly podcast called Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah in 2023, and even worked as a special correspondent for the Today Show.
Meghan, on the other hand, has scored two seasons of her own lifestyle hosting show on Netflix, With Love, Meghan, and launched her own food and home goods line, As Ever.
She’s also been the host of two podcasts, Archetypes on Spotify and Confessions of a Female Founder.
Of course, she also published her first children’s book, The Bench, in 2021.
Ferguson also hosted a weekly podcast called Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah in 2023, and even worked as a special correspondent for the Today Show
Meghan, on the other hand, has scored two seasons of her own lifestyle hosting show on Netflix, With Love, Meghan, and launched her own food and home goods line, As Ever
She’s also been the host of two podcasts, Archetypes on Spotify and Confessions of a Female Founder
‘When Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties, they promised a life of service, but like Fergie, much of it reads as self-service,’ Schofield told Daily Mail.
However, it looks like there’s another star that Meghan’s latest career move could be mirroring, according to the royal expert.
‘Her path also mirrors early moves by Kim Kardashian, who initially appeared in television and film playing herself before taking on serious roles,’ she shared.
Though Schofield noted that depending on what the script reads, this could actually end up being a ‘win’ for the Netflix star – or not.
‘I imagine that Meghan’s team would describe this as a branding opportunity,’ Schofield explained.
‘If the script pokes fun at Meghan and she manages to be self-deprecating then this could be a win but if she digs her heels in when it comes to the Duchess of Sussex title or takes herself too seriously… she is opening herself up to criticism,’ she said.
Sarah Schmidt, President of Interdependence Public Relations, believes that Meghan’s new role signals ‘another professional reset’ for the star.
‘She is reminding the world who she was before the royal spotlight by stepping back into where it all began, on her own terms,’ Schmidt told Daily Mail exclusively.
‘Her path also mirrors early moves by Kim Kardashian, who initially appeared in television and film playing herself before taking on serious roles,’ she shared
Though Schofield noted that depending on what the script reads, this could actually end up being a ‘win’ for the Netflix star – or not
‘Playing herself for the first role back is a smart move. It lets her stay authentic and ease back into Hollywood without the pressure of carrying a full role,’ she shared.
Schmidt also shared that her return can serve as a sort of happy medium to the acting industry, without having to commit to in a full capacity.
‘If the reception is warm, she will have a space to choose what comes next. Meghan has always been strategic about her image and career, and this is her way of dipping her toes back in again to Hollywood,’ the public relations expert shared.
‘Her recent moves in content, branding and now acting, show that she’s ready to put herself out there again. Now she just needs to see which path, if any, audiences will accept and allow to stick.’
Meghan’s new role was revealed on the same day that her As Ever fruit spreads made it on to Oprah’s 2025 ‘Favorite Things’ holiday list.
It’s the longstanding gift guide that has appeared in her magazine, Oprah Daily, since 1996.
The gift guide features ideas for presents across multiple categories, like food, style, wellness, and even kids and families.
In the ‘food’ section of this year’s guide, Oprah included an item from Meghan’s latest holiday drop, the As Ever Signature Fruit Spread, which retails for $42.
Meghan’s new role was revealed on the same day that her As Ever fruit spreads made it on to Oprah’s 2025 ‘Favorite Things’ holiday list
The gift set includes jars of Meghan’s orange marmalade, as well as her strawberry and raspberry spreads
Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, even sent out an email to customers on Wednesday morning, announcing that they had been included on the list
It’s a holiday release that experts recently described to Daily Mail as ‘overpriced’ and ‘lacking originality.’
The gift set includes jars of Meghan’s orange marmalade, as well as her strawberry and raspberry spreads.
‘Before my neighbor Meghan started her business, she shared her homemade recipes with us,’ Oprah wrote in the guide.
‘I love to drizzle it on an English muffin (at left) or yogurt or ice cream. I also love bringing a jam or preserves as a hostess gift, and with this pretty box set of orange marmalade and raspberry and strawberry spreads, just add a bow and you’re ready to go,’ Oprah shared.
Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, even sent out an email to customers on Wednesday morning, announcing that they had been included on the list.
‘We’re honored to be included in the season’s quintessential guide to gifting,’ the email read.
‘So much love is poured into each recipe, to bring the brightness and warmth of the garden to your home in every season,’ the message continued, as they even offered customers a 10 percent off code to use on the website.
