With Love, Meghan

With Love, Meghan

Meghan Markle and Mindy Kaling

“With Love, Meghan,” the latest venture by the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, premiered on Netflix on March 4, 2025. The show’s initial January premiere was delayed due to the Los Angeles wildfires. This eight-part lifestyle series showcases Meghan Markle engaging in various domestic activities; ranging from cooking and gardening to entertaining, often accompanied by celebrity guests. Despite its high-profile release, the series has been met with a spectrum of reviews, from appreciation of its aesthetic to sharp criticism regarding its content 
and execution.

Overview of the Series

Each episode of “With Love, Meghan” follows a structured format: Meghan invites a guest, often a close friend or admired personality, to participate in a domestic project. These activities include preparing meals, crafting, and exploring sustainable living practices. The show’s ambiance is reminiscent of a polished lifestyle blog brought to life, with high production values and a serene, soft-filtered visual style. Meghan’s interactions aim to blend personal anecdotes with practical tips, striving to create a relatable yet aspirational viewing experience.

Critical Reception

The reception to “With Love, Meghan” has been predominantly critical. The Independent’s review described the show as “queasy and exhausting,” highlighting the relentless pace of activities that could leave viewers feeling overwhelmed rather than inspired. The review also noted the show’s attempt to balance aspiration with relatability, a balance it often fails to achieve.  GQ magazine labelled the series as the epitome of “background TV,” criticizing it for being exceptionally boring and irrelevant, making it barely hold the audience’s attention.  The Times offered a scathing perspective, calling the show “smug, syrupy, and endlessly spoof-able,” suggesting that its lavish production and relentless upbeat tone lack authentic humour and seem tone-deaf to ordinary people’s struggles.  

Viewer Reactions and Controversies

Beyond critical reviews, “With Love, Meghan” has sparked discussions among viewers, particularly concerning certain moments that have been perceived as controversial or out of touch. One notable instance involves Actress and Producer Mindy Kaling, who, during her appearance, referred to the host as “Meghan Markle.” Meghan corrected her, stating, “It’s so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle; you know I’m Sussex now.” She elaborated on the significance of sharing her title with her children, emphasizing the importance of their family name. Meghan’s correction sparked debates over the use of royal titles and surnames, with some viewers finding the moment awkward. The British media later clarified that the couple’s actual surname is Mountbatten-Windsor, not Sussex. Sussex was a title granted to Prince Harry and Meghan, not their official family name.
Another segment that drew attention was Meghan’s demonstration of repackaging store-bought peanut butter pretzels into labelled Ziploc bags. Critics and viewers mocked this act, questioning its practicality and labelling it as an unnecessary display of perfectionism. Social media users highlighted this moment as emblematic of the show’s perceived disconnect from everyday realities.  
Furthermore, despite the show’s intimate and personal feel, the house featured in With Love, Meghan is not actually Meghan and Harry’s real home. Instead, it is a rented property chosen specifically for filming, carefully curated to align with the show’s aesthetic. While the setting exudes warmth and familiarity, giving the impression of Meghan’s personal space, reports confirm that the couple does not reside there. This revelation has led to criticism, with some viewers questioning the authenticity of the series. Critics argue that using a staged environment contradicts the show’s intent of offering an intimate glimpse into Meghan’s everyday life.

Allegations of Imitation

The series has also faced allegations of lacking originality. Comparisons have been drawn between “With Love, Meghan” and Pamela Anderson’s cooking show, “Pamela’s Cooking With Love.” Both shows feature the hosts engaging in domestic activities alongside guests in aesthetically pleasing settings. Some critics have accused Meghan’s show of closely mirroring Anderson’s format, suggesting a lack of innovation. Jesse Fawcett, co-producer of Anderson’s show, addressed these allegations, expressing appreciation for the comparison but subtly acknowledging 
the similarities.  

Conclusion

“With Love, Meghan” represents Meghan Markle’s endeavour to establish herself within the lifestyle and entertainment sphere, leveraging her platform to share personal passions and insights. However, the series has struggled to resonate with critics and a segment of the audience, facing critiques about its authenticity, originality, and relatability. The highlighted controversies, from on-screen interactions to perceived imitative content, have further fuelled discussions about the show’s place in contemporary media. As Netflix renews the series for a second season, it remains to be seen how these critiques will influence its future direction and reception.