No considering the time of year, it's constantly fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's initial installments apart. The general consensus seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a holiday episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – remain, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and gaze will be analyzed and judged, but still appears carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. The reason is, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and over the top – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the life she leads genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the wreath she creates is stunning, her gifts are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her decision to change or even moderate her persona, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. There isn't the draft these days, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mum puts in in December. So you can console yourself by imagining the young royals' faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a candy.
Elara is a passionate writer and photographer who shares insights on creativity and mindful living through engaging storytelling.
