Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The general consensus was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan is like the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – providing unasked-for guidance, and delivering 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears happy enough; she's not doing any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be dissected and judged, but still appears carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with style. Her cooking looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has endured since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her refusal to change or even tone down her routine, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying her message, a point that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a everyday person, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their mother 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 homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.