According to reports, Meghan Markle had just 200 people publicly share her birthday post 24 hours after sending out a plea to supporters.

The Duchess of Sussex celebrated her 40th birthday with a flashy comedic video, which also launched a new project called 40×40.

Meghan announced the news on her joint website with husband Prince Harry, asking fans to “Spread the word, share how you’ll devote your 40 minutes, and encourage your friends to do the same.” It sees the duchess ask A-listers such as Adele and Stella McCartney, as well as members of the public, to donate their time to “help women reentering the workforce”

In a post on the Archewell website, she asked followers to download and share the post, which featured the hashtags #40×40 and #CompassionInAction, as a gift for her milestone birthday.

Credit: Archewell

The postings’ artwork includes a poem that reads, “For women who give everything, we give our time. Are you in? ” Because of the placement of the words, the word ‘forty’ is highlighted down the center of the image.

Just 217 people shared the graphic designed by the Duchess on Instagram. Credit: Archewell

A suggested caption was even given, reading: “To celebrate The Duchess of Sussex’s 40th birthday, I am devoting 40 minutes of mentorship or service to a cause I care about.

“Please join me in donating your time. Together, we can contribute to a global wave of compassion and positive change.”

However, The Sun Online examined Instagram posts in the 24 hours after the video’s broadcast and discovered just 217 public postings using the 40×40 hashtag that shared Meghan’s poetry.

The research excludes Twitter postings, private Instagram sharing, and stories that may have already gone.

In a blog post, the Duchess detailed the new project.

It said: “In reflecting on my 40th birthday and the many things I am grateful for, I’m struck that time is among our most essential gifts.

“Time with our loved ones, time doing the things we love, time spent learning, laughing, growing, and the sacred time we have on this earth.

“Amongst the most valuable gifts of time is also time spent in service to others knowing that it can contribute to incredible change.

“To that last point, and with my 40th lap around the sun in mind, it made me wonder: what would happen if we all committed 40 minutes to helping someone else or to mentoring someone in need?

“And then what would happen if we asked our friends to do the same?

She added in the video: “Over two million women in the US and tens of millions around the world have lost their jobs due to Covid.

“I think if we all do it and see all commit to some sort of act of service, we can have some type of ripple effect.”

She added: “I believe mentorship is one way to help women regain confidence and rebuild their economic strength.

“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.”

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