Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's perpetually hunting season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the program's initial installments to pieces. The common opinion held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Festive Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but set of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, and supplying 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she looks pleased; she's causing a bit of damage.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be dissected and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent precisely what Christmas is for? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the life she leads seems authentically shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she executes with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she wraps gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but even so, after the level of examination she has weathered from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to modify or even tone down her routine, even though it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a thought that will surely come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished national service anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are overcome with envy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the time and energy their parent does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.