Royal Wedding: Elton John and David Furnish arrive at the chapel

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Meghan announced her new Netflix project this week — an animated series for young children with the working title, ‘Pearl’. It has been described as a “family series that centres on the adventures of a 12-year-old girl, who is inspired by a variety of influential women from history”. A release date has not yet been confirmed even though the Duchess of Sussex has been pipped to produce a cartoon with a feminist message ever since she and Prince Harry signed their megawatt deal with Netflix last September.

Meghan will be producing the series with David Furnish, a well-known Hollywood name who has worked on films such as ‘Rocketman’ and ‘Gnomeo & Juliet’.

Mr Furnish, executive producer and Sir Elton John’s husband, is also a close friend to Meghan and Harry.

Speaking to PA last year, shortly after they announced their departure from the Firm, Mr Furnish predicted that the couple would commit to “great, great philanthropic work” in their new lives.

He said: “They’re just at an interesting juncture of their life right now.

“And I know how passionately they want to give back and they really feel that they have a platform and an awareness and an opportunity to really do great, great philanthropic work.”

While the Sussexes have committed to some charitable endeavours since leaving the Firm, they have had to add a commercial element to their new vehicle, Archewell, in order to fund their new lifestyle.

Just months after Mr Furnish’s kind words, the couple secured a deal of historic value with Netflix, estimated to be worth $100million (£72million).

During the interview, Mr Furnish also shone a light on his friendship with the Sussexes.

Talking about his husband, the producer said: “We have a lot in common with Harry and Meghan.

“Elton and Prince Harry launched our MenStar Coalition at the International Aids Conference in Amsterdam, we’ve raised money and given money to Sentebale, his HIV/AIDS children’s charity work in Lesotho.

“And Meghan and he both share a great love of Africa and so much of the work we do is based in Africa.”

He also claimed the Sussexes were “like family” to him and Sir Elton, and that the pair were “excited” to see what the Duke and Duchess would do next.

Mr Furnish was just as warm towards Meghan when he confirmed they were going to be working together on their new project ‘Pearl’.

He said: “I am delighted that we are finally able to announce this exciting animated series.

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“Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and I are deeply passionate about bringing the inspirational and positive stories of extraordinary women from around the world to a global audience of all ages.

“The team collaborating on the series is first class and @Netflix is the perfect partner.”

When announcing the project, Meghan shared in her friend’s delight and said: “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.”

Mr Furnish’s husband Sir Elton is known to be a particularly good friend to both Harry and Prince William, having been in Princess Diana’s close circle.

The renowned singer has even spoken out in defence of the Sussexes in the past, when they came under fire for using his private jet while encouraging the public to become more eco-friendly.

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Touching on Sir Elton’s relationship with the pair, a source told the Mirror: “He is a constant support, especially to Meghan, and is very protective of them both.”

He is said to have been particularly attentive to the couple over the last year as their relationship with the Royal Family became increasingly strained.

A source close to Sir Elton: “He has been their rock.

“So while he would never tell them what to do he has a listening ear and support throughout.”

It’s therefore not surprising that Meghan chose to work with Mr Furnish for her debut Netflix project, which will mark her entrance into the world of production.

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