In a rather uninspired unveiling, Meghan Markle’s Netflix Christmas special has drawn sharp criticism from reviewers who were clearly not impressed.
Titled “With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration,” the show has been labeled as everything from “numbing” to “quite mad and a little bit sad,” with many critics questioning its appeal.
Markle’s festive offering attempts to bring cheer by sharing gift-wrapping tips and holiday traditions alongside celebrity friends, showing viewers how to make Christmas crackers, and adding a personal touch to holiday decor.
However, the 56-minute special left many critics bewildered rather than amused.
For instance, Annabel Fenwick Elliott of the Daily Mail gave the show zero stars, pointing out the “syrupy hypocrisy” of Markle’s presentation, stating that it reflected a “deep lack of self-awareness.” She suggested that embracing her more humorous side could have potentially made her more relatable and engaging.
This critique aligns with the disappointing reception of the previous seasons of “With Love, Meghan.”
Following a new agreement between the Sussexes and Netflix finalized in August, expectations were presumably high for this holiday special.
Unfortunately, it seems to have missed the mark significantly.
Hilary Rose from the Times minced no words, characterizing the program as “unfathomable.” She criticized its content, from trivial crafts to the questionable dialogue that left her feeling as though it had been run through translation software.
The show’s section featuring an advent calendar filled with “inspirational quotes” was marked as particularly misguided, with Rose quipping that it was essentially “unimprovable.”
Meanwhile, Anita Singh of the Telegraph was equally underwhelmed, offering just one star and dubbing an appearance by tennis star Naomi Osaka the “most awkward” moment of the show.
The expression on Osaka’s face suggested she might have preferred to be anywhere else.
Singh also recalled a similar vibe from Pippa Middleton’s festive advice book, which featured equally uninspired suggestions.
The flavor of the special didn’t improve as Prince Harry made a brief appearance, only to express his horror at one of the culinary offerings—a salad containing pickled vegetables and anchovies.
His reaction was reminiscent of a child forced to eat something distasteful, prompting laughter from those who watched.
Even the Independent weighed in, with Hannah Ewens describing the show as neither fun nor aspirational, suggesting that it fell flat as a “predictably insipid festive special.” Despite not holding any personal vendetta against Markle, she felt that the show tested the limits of holiday cheer.
The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan, tempted to give it just one star, humorously suggested that viewers should brace themselves for the experience.
She described the dialogue as unbearable and noted that watchers might need remedies to cope with the overtly saccharine atmosphere.
On a slightly more favorable note, the Express highlighted some redeeming qualities, including useful gift-wrapping hacks.
However, the review did little to offset the overall negativity surrounding the special, which many saw as a missed opportunity to connect genuinely with viewers.
While Markle showcased her fondness for Christmas traditions and crafts throughout the special—like assembling an advent calendar and whipping up holiday-themed dishes—the production seemed to lack any real substance.
Her insistence on creating an air of holiday magic felt contrived, as her tips often resorted to generic platitudes.
“The festive season should be about joy and connection,” Meghan stated during the show, seemingly underlining the very elephants in the room that her critics pointed out.
It’s a sentiment that many audiences hoped to find mirrored in the content, yet, sadly, the execution fell short of delivering the warmth typically associated with holiday programming.
In a world where holiday specials aim to evoke a spirit of togetherness and cheer, Meghan’s latest offering has left viewers scratching their heads and wondering if they missed something special, prompting conversations about connection, authenticity, and the hollowness of flashy screen content.