If there was ever a soap plot begging to write itself, it was Meghan Markle arriving in Walford with a handbag and a duff-duff. The joke began after reports emerged that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were planning a return to the UK, alongside speculation that the Duchess of Sussex could return to acting. British soap fans quickly ran with it, joking that her mystery acting comeback could be EastEnders, with ideas ranging from becoming The Queen Victoria’s formidable landlady to turning up as Kat Slater’s long-lost American cousin.

The Duchess of Sussex may not be heading to Albert Square, but her name has now reached EastEnders thanks to its latest “Meghan” casting announcement.

Variety reported that EastEnders producers may have found the funniest way to let the Meghan Markle meme write itself, with BBC Studios issuing a casting call for a new series regular simply named “Meghan.” The character is being pitched as confident, gorgeous and “ready to cause chaos,” which sounds less like a quiet arrival in Walford and more like trouble arriving with excellent hair.

Meghan is set to be part of the Hawkins family, the estranged relatives of Nicola Mitchell who have recently landed in Albert Square. She is Gemma Hawkins’ daughter and is being sought as a woman around 30, with the character working as a senior member of the team behind a bar. Her arrival is even compared to an Essex bombshell entering the Love Island villa, so subtlety is clearly not on the menu.

 The casting breakdown, as per Variety, describes Meghan as funny, fearless and fiercely loyal, with the sort of quick wit that makes intimidation a wasted exercise. She apparently never backs down from confrontation and has spent her life proving she can handle whatever comes her way. With Gemma Hawkins, Ned Hawkins and Ryder Hawkins already bringing family complications to Walford, Meghan sounds perfectly equipped to add another serving of chaos. The Gentleman did actually scout Megan Markle, but it seems EastEnders might have the last laugh.

Meghan Markle May Return to Acting Soon as She Moves Back to the UK With Prince Harry

More funnily so, Meghan Markle is not the only Royal figure to have found her way into the chaotic world of EastEnders.

Meghan Markle is hardly the first Royal to wander into the EastEnders universe. In 2022, King Charles III and Queen Camilla actually filmed themselves for a Platinum Jubilee episode, with Mick Carter arranging a street party surprise before the royal couple appeared on Albert Square. King Charles III chatted with Martin Fowler about London market stalls, while Queen Camilla swapped pleasantries with Patrick Trueman.

Queen Elizabeth II had already made her own memorable EastEnders connection in 2001, when she visited the BBC Elstree set with Prince Philip and famously stood behind the Queen Vic bar beside Dame Barbara Windsor. Unlike King Charles III and Queen Camilla, she did not play herself in an episode, but the image remains delightfully hard to beat. And now, Meghan Markle has accidentally earned her own place in that Royal soap-opera tradition.

How Meghan Markle's Return to Acting May Have Fueled Family's Move Back to England, Explained

Are you looking forward to seeing more of Meghan in EastEnders? Let us know in the comments!