Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always fair game for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to shreds. The common opinion was 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 makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). Yet now, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing unasked-for guidance, and contributing the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she looks pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be dissected and judged, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but is that not exactly what Christmas is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with style. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she makes is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to tear into. Nothing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with festive joy and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of attention she has faced since she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to change or even moderate her persona, despite it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will always know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a reminder that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. We don't have mandatory conscription in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their mum expends in December. So you can take heart by envisioning her children's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
