Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually fair game for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing random tips, 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears content; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be dissected and judged, but still appears carefree and remarkably at ease.
Maybe 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 truly is lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and over the top – but doesn't that represent precisely what Yuletide is all about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this genuinely. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her routine, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a thought that will certainly come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the time and energy their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing her children's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
