Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, has arrived, offering a refreshing dose of escapism and positivity. The show’s focus is on feel-good moments of cooking, entertaining, and gardening under the Californian sunshine. With a picture-perfect setting, the series is a vibrant display of a lifestyle that many can only dream of. From floral arrangements to intricately prepared cakes, it’s clear that this series is designed to transport viewers into a world of idealised domestic bliss.
Set against a backdrop of blue skies, lush gardens, and sun-dappled kitchens, the series provides an uplifting escape. Meghan is seen preparing a variety of dishes, including focaccia, doughnuts, and Korean fried chicken, while engaging in casual chats with friends and offering culinary tips. The underlying message of the series is clear: it’s all about creating a warm and welcoming environment, where hospitality and attention to detail reign supreme.
Interestingly, With Love, Meghan offers a glimpse into her new lifestyle brand, As Ever. Products from the brand are prominently featured, including jars of raspberry jam and other food items designed to reflect Meghan’s personal tastes. In one episode, Meghan is seen harvesting honey in a beekeeping outfit, introducing the audience to one of her brand’s products – wildflower honey with honeycomb. These moments help highlight Meghan’s entrepreneurial spirit as she builds a business that promotes both sustainability and personal care.
However, With Love, Meghan is notably devoid of any references to her past life as a working royal. Her children, Archie and Lilibet, are conspicuously absent from the screen, and there’s only a brief appearance from Prince Harry in the final episode. When he does appear, it’s in a celebratory moment as he congratulates Meghan on the launch of her business. Meghan’s focus in the series is squarely on her new life and the positive, self-created world she has built in California.
“I love feeding people, it’s probably my love language,” Meghan says as she shares her culinary expertise with the audience. She demonstrates a wide range of dishes, from homemade pasta to frittata and baked fish, while also offering tips on how to arrange flowers and create DIY bath salts to make guests feel extra special. Her enthusiasm for both cooking and entertaining is clear, as she champions a lifestyle centred around creativity, warmth, and family.
The show features an array of celebrity guests, including actress Mindy Kaling, celebrity chef Roy Choi, and designer Tracy Robbins. There are playful moments throughout, such as when Kaling jokes about receiving a jar of Meghan’s raspberry jam, and a discussion about Meghan’s fashion sense. Meghan explains her love for “high-low” fashion, mixing high street brands with designer pieces, and even shares a light-hearted moment about her family name, revealing that she now identifies as “Sussex” rather than “Markle,” reflecting the significance of her new chapter in life.
The series is undoubtedly an upbeat, feel-good journey. The colourful visuals of the California coast, the lush gardens, and the beautifully arranged food contribute to a sense of optimism and tranquillity. The soundtrack pulses with positive, feel-good music, creating an atmosphere that seems almost designed to counteract the negativity of the past few years. Meghan’s personal philosophy seems to be embedded in every moment of the show: “Love is in the detail, gang,” she says, inviting viewers to enjoy life’s simpler pleasures.
Yet, With Love, Meghan is more than just a cooking and lifestyle show. It’s also a reflection of Meghan’s personal transformation. The show feels very much like an ode to her new life, one that has moved far away from the world of the British royal family. It’s a world where the past is left behind in favour of creativity, entrepreneurship, and family. In this sense, the show marks a definitive shift towards a future where Meghan is entirely in control of her narrative.
While the series is undoubtedly a celebration of Meghan’s new life, it also raises questions about her relationship with the royal family. The breezy charm and commercial appeal of the series are worlds apart from the rigid expectations and scrutiny of royal life. The absence of any direct references to her royal past signals that this show is meant to be a step forward, not a look back.
The series is bound to attract attention, largely due to Meghan’s polarising public persona. Fans who admire her resilience and entrepreneurial spirit will likely find much to enjoy in the series. However, those who remain critical of her will likely find little to hold onto in the polished, positive world Meghan has created for herself. It’s a world where every cake is perfectly decorated, every flower arrangement is carefully curated, and every moment is filled with optimism.
In the final analysis, With Love, Meghan offers an unashamedly aspirational view of life, one that prioritises beauty, joy, and creativity. Whether you love or dislike the series will depend largely on your opinion of Meghan herself. For some, the show will be a delightful escape from everyday life, while for others, it might feel too polished or disconnected from reality. Either way, it’s clear that Meghan Markle is here to stay, and her latest endeavour is just another step in her journey to redefine her public persona and carve out a new future beyond the confines of royal life.