Meghan Markle has spoken about the similarities between humans and animals in their primal instincts to protect their young weeks before her son Archie’s first birthday.

In a newly-released interview about her Disney+ documentary, Elephants, which aired on Good Morning America on Monday, the former actress opened up about the caring nature the animal shows over its offspring.

‘You see in this film just how remarkable they are… their memories are amazing,’ she says.

‘The connection of the herd, the protectiveness of their young… I think they are a lot more like us than they are different.’

The documentary was made in partnership with Elephants Without Borders – a conservation project that Meghan and her husband Prince Harry have previously worked with.

Meghan Markle protecting children
Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images

Opening up about her first project since stepping down as a senior royal earlier this month, Meghan continued, adding: ‘I hope that when people see this film, they realise how connected we all are, and if we have more of an awareness about the obstacles they are facing…

‘I think we’d take care of each other and this planet and animals in a very different way.’

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The royal, who was recently seen delivering food to local members of her Los Angeles community where she resides with Prince Harry and Archie, said she was ‘really grateful’ to have had the opportunity to provide the voiceover for the documentary, which aired earlier this month.

‘I have been very lucky to be able to have hands-on experience with elephants in their natural habitat,’ she said.

Meghan Markle protecting children
HENK KRUGER//Getty Images

‘When you spend time connecting with them and the other wildlife you really understand we have to role to play in their preservation and their safety.’

In 2017, during their trip to Botswana, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex assisted Dr Mike Chase, who works with Elephants Without Borders, in his conservation efforts.

The trip is believed to have marked one of the couple’s last holidays away together before announcing their engagement in November that year.

On Sunday, the couple sent a letter to four UK tabloid newspapers - the Daily Mail, Daily Express, The Sun and The Daily Mirror - stating that they will no longer work with them, in any capacity. The move marks one of the pair's most forceful yet since stepping away from the royal family.

On May 6, Meghan and Harry will celebrate their son Archie’s first birthday. The occasion comes weeks after the Queen's birthday.

preview for Meghan and Harry's cutest relationship moments

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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.