Meghan Markle and Prince Harry look set to make major move during 'industry shutdown'

American director Paul Duddridge said: “Harry and Meghan may yet turn out to be beneficiaries of the strike.

“It will give them a much-needed chance to review their creative strategies while using the industry shutdown as cover.”

He added during his interview with the Express: “Harry and Meghan need to flip the narrative.

“They have seemingly worn out the goodwill of the Royal Family and have not set the world alight with their creative output in the US.

“They are now well-positioned to salvage their image with a critical success in the creative sphere.

“They should grab this opportunity with both hands. It may be their last.”

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Writers and actors across Hollywood have opted for industrial action as the industry grapples with how technology is changing the way films and TV programmes are made and watched.

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, 65, warned the walkout would impact “thousands if not millions of people”.

It will also push the Emmy Awards back from September 18 to as far away as January.

The strike has been organised by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Actors are seeking higher pay and safeguards against unauthorised use of their images through artificial intelligence (AI).

Several high-profile actors threw their weight behind strike action, including Barbie star Margot Robbie.

However, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers disputes the union’s concerns.

In a statement, AMPTP said: "We are deeply disappointed that SAG-AFTRA has decided to walk away from negotiations.

"This is the union's choice, not ours. In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors' digital likenesses, and more."

The last time Hollywood actors went on strike was in 2000 in a six-month dispute over their commercials contract.

Meghan, who starred in Suits as paralegal Rachel Zane, has so far been noticeably quiet about the actors' strike.

It has been suggested the 41-year-old has a conflict of interest as she is locked in a lucrative £78million contract with Netflix.

The streaming service is among the companies refusing to cooperate with striking actors and writers.