KEY POINTS

  • Melissa McCarthy described the moment Meghan Markle's face "lit up" upon seeing Prince Harry as "sweet and genuine"
  • The "Spy" star knew that Prince Harry's cameo in Markle's 40th birthday video would go viral
  • McCarthy joined Markle in her birthday video in August to announce the duchess' 40x40 initiative

Melissa McCarthy has shared a "sweet" moment between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry that she witnessed while the trio was filming a video for the duchess' 40th birthday.

During an appearance on the British morning show "Lorraine" Tuesday, the "Spy" star described the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's dynamic as "cute." According to McCarthy, she "could tell he walked in because we were talking and then [Meghan] went, 'Oh hi!' and her whole face lit up, and I was like, 'Did Prince Harry just walk in the room?'"

"I just thought it was so sweet and genuine," McCarthy added of the couple's interaction.

The 51-year-old comedian went on to share that it was Prince Harry's idea to make a juggling cameo in his wife's 40th birthday video.

"I was like, 'Are you weird and funny to boot?' At that point, I was like, 'That's great!' ... I love anyone that will do something weird just for weird's sake, so I was like, 'I tip my hat!'" the actress added.

McCarthy also said that she knew Prince Harry's appearance in the video would go viral. "When people see him just creepily standing outside a window juggling, it's so weird that I was like, 'Nothing else will matter,'" she explained.

In August, the "Thunder Force" star joined Markle in her 40th birthday video in which the duchess announced her 40x40 initiative. Markle invited 40 of her celebrity pals to donate 40 minutes of their time to mentor women going back to work.

Adele, Amanda Gorman, Deepak Chopra, Gloria Steinem, José Andrés, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and Stella McCartney were among those who pledged their time as part of the effort.

McCarthy previously praised Markle's new campaign during an interview with "Access Hollywood" last month.

"She's doing such an amazing thing to celebrate her 40th," McCarthy said of the program. "I just love that she's like, 'Oh, what can I do to put some good [in the world] and help some people out?' I was like, 'Well, that’s awfully nice.'"

But while Markle's video and initiative garnered praise among fans, some had accused the duchess and McCarthy of mocking Queen Elizabeth II in the clip.

Royal expert Angela Levin, author of "Harry: A Biography of a Prince," previously suggested that the duo was poking fun at the Queen and her tea drinking habits. In the video, both Markle and McCarthy were drinking a cup of tea, with the latter sporting a floral green dress, a pearl necklace, a fascinator and white gloves during their call.

Hannah Martin from Talented Ladies Club was also quoted by Express as saying that Markle's initiative felt "a little like a publicity stunt" to her.

"On the face of it, it's a great gesture, but beyond galvanizing 40 of her friends to offer their time, there's no structure or advice for how anyone can actually participate," she continued.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex ride by carriage down the Mall during Trooping The Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage