Admittedly, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's constantly open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). Yet now, it's different. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she looks pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her every micro expression, word and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and flamboyant – but is that not precisely what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping 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, filled with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of attention she has endured since she met Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her refusal to modify or even moderate her persona, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't mandatory conscription these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a everyday person, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing 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 chocolate.
