Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the season, it's always open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the series' first and second seasons to shreds. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she is back for another round with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and contributing the odd random outburst. ("I love spinach!" … "A tradition has to have a beginning." … "A tree is part of my memory and love of the holiday season.") She's an interesting figure, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she seems pleased; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and look will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent precisely what Yuletide is for? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the wreath she makes is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to unwrap. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she fastens her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would struggle to act this genuinely. Her refusal to change or even tone down her persona, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. There isn't national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, no kid completely grasps the time and energy their mum does in December. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
