Meghan Markle makes strange return to acting in ad for coffee company

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has made her long awaited return to acting – though in a surprisingly understated manner.

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has made her long awaited return to acting – though in a surprisingly understated manner.

Meghan, who was best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the show Suits before her relationship with Prince Harry brought her acting career to a premature end, has appeared in an ad for the vegan coffee brand Clevr Blends. She’s an investor in the company.

We’re talking organic coffee here. And a totally organic, not at all confected cameo from one of the most famous women on the planet.

The appearance, in a video clip posted on Instagram, is very much tongue-in-cheek, with Meghan repeatedly showing up in the background of shots before ending the video with a cheeky fist bump.

Hannah Mendoza, who founded the brand, is ostensibly the focus.

Meghan toils away in the background as the brand’s founder, Hannah Mendoza, speaks in the foreground. Picture: Instagram

The Duchess pretends to be working at a desk, like a normal peasant. Picture: Instagram

“I want to give a huge shoutout to our amazing Clevr team here at HQ; without them we are nothing,” Ms Mendoza says, as the Duchess toils away with other workers in the background, cosplaying as someone of modest means.

“Our fulfilment crew, lovingly packing your lattes. They’ve been listening to Britney (Spears) on loop since 2019,” the founder quips.

The next shot shows Ms Mendoza in an office, with Meghan pretending to work at a computer just behind her before taking a sip from an obnoxiously large drink.

“Our very smart, only slightly nerdy digital team, making sure the website doesn’t crash again, like it did last year,” Ms Mendoza says.

“Finally, the glue that literally holds us all together,” she adds in the next clip, as Meghan hands her a drink from a fridge.

“Our incredible, resilient ops team, that have helped make this year such a big success.”

During that last quote, delivered while seated at some outdoor furniture, Meghan walks past and attempts, unsuccessfully, to fist bump one of the company’s employees, sparking laughter.

Did you ever see New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin try to hit a cricket ball? That’s the level of hand-eye coordination we’re dealing with here.

“Damn, you’re keeping us BUSY right now! Had to call in some reinforcements,” Clevr joked in its caption on the Instagram post.

Meghan rummaging through the fridge before handing Mendoza a drink. That’s a serious expression on her face. Did someone nick her lunch? Nice for her to get the true, authentic office worker experience. Picture: Instagram

Fist bumping with all the accuracy of infamous Kiwi bowler Chris Martin. If you got that reference, congratulations. Picture: Instagram

Followed by a good-natured giggle. Picture: Instagram

Clevr Blends is based in California, where Meghan and Harry live, and the Duchess has supported it since December of 2020.

Back in March she appeared in a video to promote the company.

“This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritises building community alongside her business,” she said at the time.

“I’m proud to invest in Hannah’s commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness.

“I believe in her and I believe in her company.”

Meanwhile Ms Mendoza, who started the brand in 2016, hailed Meghan’s involvement.

“Three years ago, everything changed. None other than Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, had started drinking our lattes,” she said.

“Not only did she love the product, but she was extremely passionate about female founders and sustainable sourcing.

“Meghan even sent our turmeric latte to friends. A few days later, I open my phone to see Oprah herself making our superlatte in our kitchen.”

Friends in high places do tend to help.

Originally published as Meghan Markle makes strange return to acting in ad for coffee company