Royal Retreat: Meghan Markle Redefines Domesticity on Netflix
In the glittering landscape of celebrity lifestyle content, Meghan Markle has once again seized the spotlight—this time, with her Netflix series “With Love, Meghan,” a glossy exploration of domestic artistry that has critics sharpening their metaphorical scissors faster than one can say “lifestyle guru.”
Premiering to a chorus of raised eyebrows and cutting commentary, the eight-episode series is a meticulously curated window into the Duchess of Sussex’s California dream. Filmed against the sun-drenched backdrop of Montecito, the show is a masterclass in aspirational living that feels simultaneously intimate and impossibly polished—think Pinterest meets personal branding, with a sprinkle of royal dust.
Body language expert Judi James didn’t mince words, describing the series as a “dystopian nightmare for feminists”—a provocative descriptor that suggests Markle’s vision of domesticity is less empowerment and more nostalgic performance. James argues that the show presents a “childlike view of the world,” where charm trumps complexity and domestic arts are reduced to performative sweetness.
For those who remember Markle’s pre-royal days as the curator of her lifestyle blog The Tig, this return to lifestyle programming feels like a homecoming. The series oscillates between teaching friends to bake bread, orchestrating game nights, and planning the perfect brunch—all delivered with Markle’s signature blend of earnestness and calculated relatability.
“We’re not in the pursuit of perfection,” Markle declares while crafting crepes, a statement that feels simultaneously genuine and carefully manufactured. It’s a mantra that encapsulates the delicate dance of modern lifestyle content: appearing authentic while maintaining an immaculate aesthetic.
The timing is notable. Five years after stepping back from royal duties, Markle and Prince Harry have firmly established their California kingdom. With Prince Archie at 5 and Princess Lilibet at 3, the series feels like both a personal project and a strategic repositioning of their public narrative.
Netflix markets the show as “reimagining lifestyle programming,” but critics see something different—a carefully constructed persona that treads a fine line between empowerment and retro domesticity. Is it a feminist statement or a return to outdated stereotypes? The debate is as layered as Markle’s apparently effortless crepe technique.
Directed by Michael Steed, known for his work on “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” the series promises depth but delivers, according to some critics, more style than substance. It’s a visual feast that invites viewers into an idealized world of crafting, hosting, and living—a world that feels both tantalizingly close and frustratingly unattainable.
