No matter the time of year, it's always hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The common opinion held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (or a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – offering random tips, and contributing 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and strangely comforting. And she appears happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and glance will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Since, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not just what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the example she sets seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, filled with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but even so, after the degree of examination she has endured from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even soften her routine, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are gripped with longing about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a duchess or a everyday person, few children truly appreciates the dedication and labor their parent expends in December. So you can take heart by imagining the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a sweet treat.
Elara Vance is a tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and consumer electronics.