No matter the time of year, it's constantly fair game for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments apart. The general consensus was that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (also known as a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but within the context of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and supplying the occasional strange exclamation. ("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 oddly reassuring. And she seems happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that just what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with flair. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has endured from the moment she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to change or even moderate her routine, regardless of it being so persistently, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a relief: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are consumed by longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, no kid completely grasps the effort and hard work their mother does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining her children's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a chocolate.
A passionate textile artist and community organizer who loves inspiring others through creative sewing projects.
