Just like many reporters across the UK, I was tuning into Meghan Markle’s Netflix show as its second season dropped on Tuesday, August 26. Being a journalist in the UK, staying in tune with all things royal is a big part of the job. Love them or hate them, the intrigue around the British monarchy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Meghan Markle’s entrance and subsequent exit from the Royal Family resulted in countless headlines, TV debates and discussions about the duchess.
Now, she is back on our radar as she dropped the second season of With Love, Meghan on Netflix. The show’s premise is simple: she invites some famous faces over to do some very wholesome activities, such as cooking, baking, and crafts. It’s nothing ground-breaking, and as expected, not everyone is a fan. But I really enjoyed the show. It must be said that I don’t have many strong feelings about Meghan. Maybe that’s because I’m not British, and back home in Ireland, the Royal Family isn’t of much concern to us.
So when the Meghan and Harry drama went down, I didn’t really feel anything towards it. But having worked in the UK for some years now, I have become well aware of how cherished the monarchy is to many and how some people see Meghan Markle as a threat to that.
I initially watched With Love, Meghan to see what might be said about her time with the Royal Family, her life with Prince Harry, and any other juicy details. Let’s be honest, many of us would have tuned in for that exact reason.
When it became clear that Harry wouldn’t feature, I was a bit let down. But after so many minutes of watching Meghan cook roast chicken and bind a book, I didn’t want Prince Harry to appear at all.
People argue that they have gotten tired of Meghan dragging up the past and speaking about the Royal Family. Yet, people tune in to her shows to see what she might say about them.
When you remove the context of all of that from the experience, With Love, Meghan is actually a lovely watch. You have to hand it to Meghan; she has a seamless TV presence. She was almost made to host a lifestyle show like this.
Is it groundbreaking? No, it absolutely is not. But are cooking shows or lifestyle TV in general ever that breathtaking? No, they are comfort shows. For many, Meghan will not be a comfort. It is no secret she divides opinion.
But as someone with no strong feelings towards Meghan or the Royal Family, I could get past all of the fanfare around who Meghan is in the public eye, and I could enjoy the show for what it is: a simple, wholesome cooking/baking/crafting show that is easy watching.
I am a sucker for a good watch like that. Every year, I indulge in festive features such as Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas. For me, With Love, Meghan is of the same ilk.
Without any mention of the Royal Family and very little mention of Harry, I was able to enjoy With Love, Meghan for what it is. With the second season of the Netflix show, Meghan stands on her own as a lifestyle presenter, a role she does effortlessly.
Am I a massive Meghan Markle fan? Again, I have no strong feelings towards her. But I was struck by how much I enjoyed this show after giving it a go.