The Duchess of Sussex has not been seen on screen since 2018

Meghan Markle has joked she “felt a bit rusty” as she stepped back onto a film set where she will be playing herself, according to insiders.

The duchess is filming for the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios film Close Personal Friends.

The 44-year-old was photographed on set in Pasadena, California, for the first time since she stepped back from acting ahead of her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.

An insider said: “Everything about her was very sweet and calm.

Meghan Markle has made her return to acting on set in California | GETTY

“She genuinely seemed excited to be on set,” the insider added. “She was joking that she felt a bit rusty, but it was obvious that she had rehearsed and that it was a big deal for her to be back. And she was great.

“She had a very warm energy, too. She was super pleasant to be around.”

Close Personal Friends is set to star Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid, and Henry Golding will follow a couple who befriend a famous couple during a trip to Santa Barbara, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Markle originally found success on screen when she played a series regular on legal drama Suits.

A studio source previously 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.

Insiders have claimed Meghan Markle is enjoying being back on a film set | GETTY

“It is Meghan’s way of gently putting her toe back in the water and seeing how she enjoys being back on set.

“Everyone involved is super-excited and have been sworn to secrecy about her involvement.”

The source added that Harry has been “really supportive” and “quite simply wants Meghan to do whatever brings her joy.”

Meghan spoke about stepping back from acting in her 2017 engagement interview with Harry.

She said at the time: “I don’t see it as giving anything up, I just see it as a change. It’s a new chapter. Right. And also keep in mind I’ve been working on my show for seven years.

“So we’re very very fortunate to be able to have that sort of longevity on a series and for me, once we hit the 100-episode marker I thought, you know what, I have ticked this box and I feel really proud of the work I’ve done there and now it’s time to, as you said, work as a team with you.”

Meghan Markle said she had no intention of returning to acting in 2022 | GETTY

The couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and have been raising their two children in Meghan’s home state of California.

Meghan had reiterated in 2022 that she was done with acting in an interview, where she said: “I’m done. I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not.”