Admittedly, it's Full of Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the season, it's always fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's initial installments apart. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). Yet now, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but within the context of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan has become the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she looks pleased; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, utterance and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what Yuletide is all about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the wreath she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her refusal to change or even tone down her persona, even though it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't national service anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a office worker, no kid truly appreciates the effort and hard work their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
