Yes, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but set of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come together; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan has become the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears happy enough; she's causing any harm.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, word and gaze will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. The reason is, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and extravagant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including 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 wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to modify or even moderate her routine, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a reminder that will certainly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have national service these days, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are overcome with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a everyday person, hardly any child truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
