Duchess Meghan Markle talks about Disneynature film 'Elephant' in exclusive 1st look
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is the voice behind a new Disneynature film, "Elephant," which premiered earlier this month on the streaming service Disney+.
In the new film, Meghan narrates the migration of an elephant named Shani and her family as they make an epic 1,000-mile, eight-month trek across Africa.
An exclusive clip of "Elephant" that aired earlier this month on "Good Morning America" shows Meghan playfully describing a spontaneous mud bath between the herd.
"The older elephants all know this could be the last easy water for many months, so they're going to make the most of it," Meghan says in the clip.
"I am really grateful to have the opportunity of bringing this story of elephants to life," said Meghan in a clip from Disney. "These creatures are so majestic and at the same time they are so sensitive and so connected."
In the clip, which was filmed last year during her recording session for the project, Meghan talked about her experience working on the film.
"I've been very lucky to be able to have hands-on experience with the elephants in their natural habitat. When you spend time connecting to them and the other wildlife, you really understand we have a role to play in their preservation and their safety," she said. "We see in this film just how remarkable they are. Their memories are amazing. The close connection of the herd, the protectiveness of their young -- I think they are a lot more like us than they are different."
To mark the premiere of "Elephant," which occurs during Earth Month, Disneynature and the Disney Conservation Fund are supporting Elephants Without Borders, an organization working in Botswana -- a country dear to Meghan and Harry -- to ensure the safety of people and elephants. Among other goals, Elephants Without Borders is working to protect Botswana's elephants and provide resources to the communities living near them.
"I hope that when people see this film, they realize how connected we all are, and if we had more of an awareness about the obstacles they are facing, I think we'd take care of each other, animals and this planet in a very different way," Meghan added in the clip. "That's why it's really important for me to be able to help tell that story."
Her involvement with "Elephants" marks the first professional endeavor for the duchess since she and Prince Harry announced earlier this year that they were stepping down as "senior members" of the royal family.
Meghan, 38, and Harry, 35, vacated their official royal roles on March 31. Their office at Buckingham Palace closed the next day.
Going forward, they will spend the "majority of their time" with their 10-month-old son, Archie, in North America, where they will no longer use their HRH titles. The Sussexes have reportedly settled in Los Angeles after spending a few months living on Vancouver Island.
They will also no longer represent Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, nor will they receive public funds for royal duties.
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