No matter the time of year, ’tis always open season on the Duchess of Sussex’s televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping series one and two of the lifestyle show to shreds. The consensus was that there has never been a greater royal outrage than when she took some pretzels out of a labelled bag, put them in a different bag, then labelled it. And she didn’t even attempt to explain herself to Emily Maitlis afterwards.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she is back once again with a “Holiday Celebration” (aka a Christmas special). But this time, it’s different. There are still the usual elements we’ve come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – but in the context of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it’s a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering 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 oddly reassuring. And she seems happy enough; she’s not doing any harm.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut that mums used to offer up when somebody was being mean to their little darling – “Ignore them, they’re just jealous” – might be true. Because, you know what? Everything in Meghan’s Holiday Celebration is lovely. Yes, it’s all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but isn’t that exactly what Christmas is about? And the talk she’s talking might be ridiculous, but the walk she’s walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with style. Her cooking is delicious, the wreath she makes is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to unwrap. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn’t bung a dish in the microwave, it “takes a twirl”, and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru (quick tip: make your wax seals in advance!). She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers filled with thoughtful items selected just for them or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of scrutiny she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this naturally. She knows her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be dissected and criticised, but she still manages to appear relaxed and carefree. Too blessed to be stressed.
Her refusal to change or even tone down her shtick, despite it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count 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 surely come as a relief: you don’t have to. There isn’t national service in this country any more, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, especially post-Megxit. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you’re a duchess or a data administrator, no kid truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mum does in December. So you can console yourself by imagining Archie and Lilibet’s faces when they open the calligraphy note that says, ‘I love you because you are brave,’ from their homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
• Polly Hudson is a freelance writer
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