Admittedly, it's Packed with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's perpetually fair game for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments apart. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she seems pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She understands her every micro expression, syllable and look will be dissected and judged, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that exactly what Christmas is about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her recipes looks tasty, the wreath she makes is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to tear into. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the degree of attention she has weathered since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her decision to alter or even moderate her shtick, despite it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her message, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have national service anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are gripped with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the effort and hard work their mother does in December. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a sweet treat.
