Admittedly, it's Packed with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's perpetually open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering 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 appears pleased; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Since, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but isn't that just what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the wreath she crafts is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, filled with festive joy and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has faced since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her decision to modify or even tone down her persona, despite it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished national service these days, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are consumed by envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, few children truly appreciates the time and energy their mum does in December. So you can console yourself by imagining the young royals' faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.
