Meghan Markle's new lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, premiered on March 5, 2025, on Netflix, offering viewers a glimpse of the Duchess of Sussex's cooking and hosting techniques, alongside celebrity acquaintances. Despite her well-known royal background, the series has drawn harsh criticism from reviewers, painting it as disconnected from the realities many viewers face today.
Consisting of eight 33-minute episodes, the program has celebrity figures like Mindy Kaling and chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters visiting Markle as she shares her tips for food preparation and entertaining. At its core, With Love, Meghan aims to celebrate the beauty found in imperfection and everyday life. Meghan expresses her enthusiasm for simple delights through snippets of her life, frequently mentioning her children and husband, Prince Harry. “There’s a lot of arnica in my house, that's toddler life,” she shares humorously, giving insights rather than revelations about her family life.
Critics were quick to rally, launching scathing reviews just hours after the show’s release. The Times's Carol Midgley remarked, "With Love, Meghan is so much worse than anticipated," criticizing it for presenting Markle's lavish lifestyle as something relatable to everyday viewers. Meanwhile, The Guardian's Stuart Heritage bluntly stated, "This show is so pointless it might be the Sussexes’ last TV show," underscoring the pressure the couple faces from their multi-million-dollar Netflix deal.
Body language expert Judi James was also vocal about the show’s themes, labeling it as having “a strong sexual theme” due to Meghan’s vocal intonations. James analyzed how Markle’s tone might influence her interaction with the audience, intertwining her hosting with comedic small talk. Yet, this appears removed from the struggles many face today amid rising living costs.
Throughout the series, Markle endeavors to uphold her narrative of normalcy, even as she whips up elaborate dishes like jam made from nine cups of fresh raspberries, estimated to cost around $36.55 at current prices. Critics have pointed out the juxtaposition of her domestic bliss against the backdrop of economic strain affecting many households. “You can do this on a budget,” she cheerfully mentions during moments when her lavish creations are anything but accessible for the average person.
The controversy intensified with Meghan’s declaration, “Love is in the detail!” as she shared various decorative tips for hosting and food presentation. Yet many viewers found this sentiment more jarring than aspirational, reflecting the stark divide between her lifestyle and accessible content for most households. The limited engagement with serious topics leaves the series feeling somewhat hollow, especially since much of its content appears scripted or rehearsed.
Despite the mixed reception, Meghan continues to promote her brand. She debuted her lifestyle brand as ever just hours after the release of her Netflix show, inviting speculation on her intent to expand her influence beyond the screen. The website promises to be “more than a brand—it’s a love language.”
Having returned to the lifestyle space nearly eight years after closing her blog, The Tig, Meghan's new venture attempts to draw from her pre-royal experiences. Despite her desire to connect with audiences, critics note the absence of depth and authenticity—key elements often expected from hosts of lifestyle programming.
This combination of glittering lifestyle choices mixed with the surface level content renders it virtually impossible for viewers to immerse themselves fully. Audiences seem less inclined to tune in for mere high-society aesthetic and would prefer authenticity. Reflecting on this aspect, viewer feedback reveals frustration at the disconnect, with many hoping for more meaningful content.
With the Sussexes’ Netflix partnership reportedly nearing its end, how With Love, Meghan performs amid the current viewer dissatisfaction will demonstrate whether Meghan can pivot away from being merely the Duchess of Sussex to becoming a relatable figure with genuine influence. Much of the public sentiment remains skeptical as they assess if the series can redeem the couple’s standing amid the struggles of reproducing positive media engagement — or if it heralds the decline of their already rocky media presence.
Even as Meghan aims to re-enter the lifestyle space, the predicting sentiment is less than favorable. Where her ambitions might lie can only be interpreted as she continues to navigate the tricky waters of public perception and the expectations tied to both her past and present roles.