Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's always fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the program's initial installments apart. The general consensus held that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unasked-for guidance, 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems content; she's inflicting any harm.
She is aware her every micro expression, word and look will be dissected and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Since, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and over the top – but is that not just what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the example she sets genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Nothing is average or ugly – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, filled with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to modify or even tone down her routine, even though it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will surely come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. There isn't national service anymore, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are overcome with longing about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, no kid fully understands the dedication and labor their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a chocolate.
