Meghan Markle appealed to fans to upload her birthday poem – but only 200 have posted permanently as Instagram tile

MEGHAN Markle appealed to fans to upload her birthday poem - but in 24 hours just 200 people have posted it permanently on Instagram.

The Duchess of Sussex released a glitzy comedy video to mark her 40th birthday - and in it launched a new initiative called 40x40.

It sees the duchess ask A-listers including Adele and Stella McCartney, as well as members of the public, to donate their time to to "help women reentering the workforce".

And in a post on her Archewell website she asked for one birthday gift from her fans - for them to share a readymade Instagram post with the hashtags #40x40 and #CompassionInAction.

The artwork for the posts features a poem reading: “For women who give everything, we give our time. Are you in?”

And the website even gave a suggested caption for people to use which says: “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 analysed Instagram posts in the 24 hours after the video’s release and found just 217 public posts sharing the poem designed by Meghan using the 40x40 hashtag.

This does not include Twitter posts or private shares on Instagram, or stories that may have already vanished.

Meghan explained the new initiative in a post on her website reading: "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."

Meghan has asked 40 activists, athletes, artists and world leaders to participate.

Among those who have committed 40 minutes of their time to mentor a woman in their community are singer Adele, poet Amanda Gorman, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and fashion designer Stella McCartney.

Meghan 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."