Movies

Meghan’s Boring Netflix Show: A Royal Primer on Entertaining

BBG News

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, reside on a luxurious property in Montecito, a wealthy coastal region adjacent to Santa Barbara, California. Acquired for approximately $15 million in 2020, this home is now believed to be worth double its original value. This expansive residence, where the couple are nurturing their two children, Archie and Lilibet, encompasses around 18,000 square feet inside. A journalist who wrote about Meghan once commented that it was “the kind of large that reminds you that immense wealth is someone’s everyday reality.” The property boasts five acres with gardens, a pool, tennis court, guest house, and additional structures. However, their lavish home won’t be featured in With Love, Meghan, the Duchess’ new Netflix lifestyle series. Instead, it was filmed at a nearby rental property, complete with its own Nancy Meyers-inspired kitchen and lush gardens.

Meghan Markle isn’t necessarily pretending to welcome us into her home; instead, she has openly discussed her decision to film elsewhere and occasionally refers to the backdrop as a set in the show. She emphasized in an interview with People that she wanted to protect the estate as a “safe haven” for her family rather than turning it into a busy TV production studio. This is a sensible choice considering the potential security risks of inviting many strangers into their private space, given the high level of scrutiny faced by one of the world’s most watched families.

However, this decision has fueled some frustration regarding the Sussexes and their implied commitment to captivate our interest—and lucrative content deals from major media platforms—by revealing the truth behind a royal facade. While there have been exceptions, such as Harry’s candid memoir, Spare, and their revealing 2021 Oprah interview, each glossy new production, podcast, or lifestyle brand has shifted the promise of authenticity towards an impersonal portrayal of perfection. With Love, Meghan might be the most obvious example yet.

The eight-episode series follows a format similar to many contemporary cooking shows featuring celebrities, such as Selena Gomez’s Max project “Selena + Chef” and Netflix’s “Cooking With Paris.” Each episode, approximately 33 minutes long, primarily takes place in the well-lit, generic kitchen of a rented property where Meghan cooks alongside a changing group of friends and acquaintances to prepare for a contrived event. While non-chef companions like Mindy Kaling and Daniel Martin, who has been Meghan’s makeup artist since her “Suits” days, are amazed by the Duchess’ culinary skills, renowned chefs such as Alice Waters and Roy Choi assist in preparing their dishes. The series aims to be more than just a cooking show, aspiring to the level of entertainment mastered across various media by Martha Stewart. Meghan doesn’t merely cater her garden parties and teas; she demonstrates how to create balloon arches and floral arrangements, gift bags, soak hand towels in lavender water, and mix homemade bath salts for the guest bathroom.

The character she portrays during the show isn’t dislikable; instead, she exudes a general charm and generosity that leaves viewers who don’t hold a biased stance against Meghan Markle with few reasons to criticize her. As a hostess, she discusses her love for hospitality without boasting about her upcoming luxury food line, As Ever. Items used on the show, such as the edible flower petals she often uses, will eventually be available for purchase from this brand. Her personal stories often revolve around nostalgic childhood memories or the dietary preferences of her family members. Her guests frequently share tales that highlight her thoughtfulness, which she modestly deflects.

In a manner reminiscent of the Stepford Wives, yet mindful not to overstep boundaries by appearing too perfect, Meghan manages to inject relatable touches into her performance. For instance, when Mindy Kaling comments on her tastefully subdued beige outfit, Meghan reveals it’s from Zara and Loro Piana, understated luxury brands. She doesn’t sweat the small details, as she frequently emphasizes. In the finale, she expresses that we’re not striving for perfection, but rather seeking joy. Her overall aura is that of a high-end millennial influencer—a supermom dressed in earthy cashmere and designer denim whose impeccable style makes even her most chaotic creations inspiring—with an undercurrent that Meghan is a unique individual who would never boast about her uniqueness.

There’s a distinction between this character, who is flawlessly imperfect, and Stewart, whose high-strung demeanor, inflated ego, and fixation on perfection create an intriguing undertone of neurosis in all her actions. Last year’s hit documentary Martha sparked a wave of goodwill for Stewart, particularly due to her raw honesty, showing that prickly personalities can be far more captivating than overly pleasant ones that cater to focus groups. Each lifestyle guru worth watching possesses a unique, unmistakable trait – from Martha-like obsession in Gwyneth’s wellness approach to Oprah’s skill in deep conversations. Ina Garten is most endearing when she pours herself a large drink. Whether you admire them or dislike them, the offbeat charm of social media’s tradwife influencers with their hyperfeminine aesthetics keeps us glued to our screens.

In contrast to their continuous self-depiction, Harry and Meghan seem to lack authenticity in abundance. The paradox lies in their persistent self-promotion—such as her short-lived Spotify podcast “Archetypes”, their superficial engagement with mainstream media excluding Oprah, the Netflix series named after them that appeared more like an advertisement for relatability, and now the book “With Love“. One might expect a woman of such resolve to free herself, her children, and a husband steeped in tradition from the strict British royal family, to have something extraordinary beyond her jam-making abilities. However, instead of opening up more about themselves, they appear less genuine. For instance, while Wallis Simpson was unique, the Sussexes seem to have replaced one controlling institution with another—a propaganda machine that serves their interests rather than the Crown’s. In essence, “With Love, Meghan” is a sprinkle of flower decoration that masks a bland cookie—a polite but distant message from a nearby rental kitchen instead of inviting us deeply into their lives.

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2025-03-05 02:06

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