Meghan Markle announces new Netflix project alongside David Furnish

Watch: Duchess Meghan working on a new Netflix animated series

Meghan Markle has announced she is working on an animated children's series for Netflix - and will be the show's executive producer.

Meghan, 39, is working with David Furnish, Sir Elton John's partner, on Pearl, the working title of a series about the adventures of a 12-year-old girl, inspired by her heroines through history.

Furnish, whose credits include Rocketman and Gnomeo and Juliet, will also be joined by Carolyn Soper, of Sherlock Gnomes, and Tangled, and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus, and Dan Cogan.

Announcing the programme, Meghan said: "Like many girls her age, our heroine Pearl is on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to overcome life’s daily challenges.

"I’m thrilled that Archewell Productions, partnered with the powerhouse platform of Netflix, and these incredible producers, will together bring you this new animated series, which celebrates extraordinary women throughout history.

"David Furnish and I have been eager to bring this special series to light, and I am delighted we are able to announce it today."

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 25: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex departs after opening 'Oceania' at the Royal Academy of Arts on September 25, 2018 in London, England. 'Oceania' is the first-ever major survey of Oceanic art to be held in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
The Duchess of Sussex at the opening of 'Oceania' at the Royal Academy of Arts in September 2018. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) (Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images)

Read more: What will Harry and Meghan do when they go back to work?

It's the second project the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced since they signed their multi-million dollar deal with Netflix last year, after stepping back as senior royals.

The duke released Heart of Invictus through the streaming platform, which followed some of the athletes competing in the Invictus Games which he founded in 2014.

When the couple confirmed the deal with Netflix last summer, they said they were already working on a children's animated series.

The news comes despite the fact the couple are on parental leave, after the birth of their daughter Lilibet on 4 June.

They give all employees at Archewell 20 weeks and are understood to be taking the same length themselves.

Meghan has also released a children's book this year, called The Bench, which was based on a poem she wrote for Harry on his first Father's Day.

Watch: What you need to know about Meghan's book

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