No matter the season, it's always fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments apart. The common opinion held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a Christmas special). Yet now, things have shifted. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – remain, but within the context of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and contributing 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 presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she looks pleased; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, utterance and gaze will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and flamboyant – but is that not just what Yuletide is about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with panache. Her recipes looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has weathered from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this authentically. Her unwillingness to change or even moderate her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you don't have to. We don't have the draft these days, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a office worker, hardly any child fully understands the dedication and labor their mum does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a sweet treat.
A passionate golfer and journalist with over a decade of experience covering PGA tours and equipment innovations.