The Duchess of Sussex's Hollywood connections have opened doors to what could become a crucial relationship with one of the world's wealthiest individuals, according to royal commentators. Meghan Markle's attendance at Jeff Bezos's exclusive birthday celebration for Kris Jenner signals a potentially transformative alliance for the former actress.
A Strategic Hollywood Comeback
Last Saturday, the 44-year-old royal and Prince Harry were among the distinguished guests at the Amazon founder's $165 million Beverly Hills mansion, celebrating media mogul Kris Jenner's 70th birthday. The timing of this high-profile appearance proved particularly significant, coming just days after Meghan's unexpected return to acting was officially announced.
The Duchess will make her acting comeback after an eight-year hiatus with a cameo appearance as herself in Close Personal Friends, produced by Amazon MGM Studios. The production company, which Bezos acquired for $8.5 billion in 2022, boasts prestigious franchises including James Bond, The Hobbit, and Creed.
Royal biographer Richard Fitzwilliams emphasised the importance of this connection, stating: "Meghan greatly valued an invitation to Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos's Hollywood mansion on Saturday. She has a clear interest in getting support from a tycoon like Bezos and she is aiming high as he is rated the third richest man in the world."
Networking for Billionaire Ambitions
The Montecito-based mother-of-two will share the screen with established Hollywood stars including Lily Collins, Brie Larson, and Jack Quaid in her upcoming film role. A source close to the production told The Sun: "This is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves. She has been swamped with offers, but this one felt right."
Fitzwilliams highlighted the potential benefits of Meghan's Amazon association, suggesting it could lead to invitations to next year's Oscar ceremony, significantly boosting the Sussexes' profile. However, he also noted the challenges facing their current entertainment ventures.
"The current serious difficulty is that the Sussexes' contract with Netflix, which gives them first refusal of potential projects, has been downgraded," Fitzwilliams revealed. "They also did remarkably little for the reported £100 million, which they originally negotiated. This is where Jeff Bezos could be indispensable, as he could open doors for her and also potentially help As Ever, which is currently supported by Netflix."
Competition for Bezos's Patronage
The royal expert's comments come amid growing speculation about Meghan's business aspirations. Royal commentator Emily Andrews claimed in the Channel 5 documentary The Meghan Effect: How She Shook Up the Royal Family: "I've been told by those close to Meghan that she wants to become a billionaire. To become a billionaire, she has to build her brand to be as big and successful as it possibly can. Jam is just the beginning."
However, Meghan isn't the only Hollywood figure benefiting from Bezos's support. Actress Sydney Sweeney appears to be enjoying substantial backing from the Amazon CEO and his wife, with reports suggesting Bezos is pushing for the 28-year-old to become the next Bond girl and has invested in her upcoming lingerie line.
The contrast between Sweeney's inclusion and Meghan's absence from Bezos's Venice wedding in June hasn't gone unnoticed. A source claimed the snub left the Duchess "seething" and demonstrated how far she and Harry have drifted from Hollywood's core social scene.
Nevertheless, Saturday's birthday celebration provided prime networking opportunities, with Kris Jenner—renowned for her strategic management of her family's careers—potentially facilitating further connections between Meghan and the Bezos power couple.
As the Duchess continues to expand her business ventures, including her lifestyle brand As Ever and potential beauty products, industry observers will be watching closely to see if this new connection with one of the world's most influential businessmen can transform her Hollywood ambitions into reality.
