Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to shreds. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (also known as a holiday episode). Yet now, it's different. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but within the context of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come together; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying 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 presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and extravagant – but is that not precisely what Christmas is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the level of examination she has endured from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this authentically. Her unwillingness to change or even soften her persona, even though it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished national service in this country, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are gripped with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a everyday person, hardly any child completely grasps the time and energy their parent puts in in December. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.
