Meghan Markle is once again making headlines—this time over the timing of her upcoming Christmas-themed television special, which is set to debut right as Princess Kate’s beloved holiday concert airs.
Season 2 of Meghan’s lifestyle and cooking series, With Love, Meghan, will land on the streaming platform later this month, under the couple’s newly announced multi-year first-look deal with the US streaming giant. The fresh agreement is a scaled-down continuation of their reported $100 million contract, with the platform now greenlighting only the projects it sees as commercially viable.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have already released several projects under their previous deal, including their 2022 docuseries and Meghan’s first season of With Love, Meghan earlier this year. The new season, however, will reportedly include a holiday special—landing in the same festive window as Princess Kate’s Together At Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers sees the timing as more than just coincidence.
“It’s always said that whenever Catherine the Princess of Wales starts something that Meghan Markle does something else to cap it, or in some ways clash with it,” he told The Sun. “The initiative of the Princess of Wales at Westminster Abbey is incredibly moving and incredibly special, and is done for the benefit of the rest of the world… so it’s all for the public good. And I’m not quite convinced that Meghan Markle… is in quite the same league.”
Vickers noted that Netflix is a “hard-nosed business operation” and wouldn’t keep the Sussexes around out of goodwill. He acknowledged Meghan’s large following and the couple’s knack for generating attention—something the platform sees value in. “They’ve got to rely on things like this,” he added, suggesting the couple’s high-end lifestyle requires a steady stream of income.
The supposed rivalry isn’t new. Newsweek’s royal editor Jack Royston recalled its early roots when the Sussexes and Waleses worked under the same Kensington Palace office.
“There was 100 per cent definitely a massive rivalry… and this sort of thing… was a 100 per cent massive rivalry,” Royston said on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show.
Even social media users have pointed to coincidences between the two royal households—like the week both women posted their children’s artwork online. “She’s so predictable… as ever, a copycat!” one person commented.
Harry’s Limited Role
The Netflix deal extension also included Meghan’s statement:
“We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand. My husband and I feel inspired by our partners… to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision.”
But Vickers pointed out the announcement leaned heavily toward Meghan’s ventures, with Harry’s personal project—Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within—getting mention later. The short film focuses on Uganda’s Masaka region and the HIV/AIDS crisis, echoing the humanitarian work of Princess Diana.
Vickers believes Harry’s talents lie in charitable and awareness-driven causes like the Invictus Games or work with the Commonwealth. In Meghan’s cooking shows, he’s often seen only briefly:
“He has to come in at the end, you know, with a grin to show that he’s onside about it,” Vickers said, recalling a similar pattern in the Oprah interview. “Husband? Yep, that’s what it is. He is the husband of Meghan Markle now.”
Critical Reception of With Love, Meghan
Meghan’s first season of With Love, Meghan drew sharp criticism from some viewers, who found it out of touch. The eight-episode series mixed recipes, celebrity guest appearances, and personal anecdotes—but not all were impressed.
Less than an hour after its release, social media was buzzing with negative takes:
“I’m not even 30 seconds into the first episode and I already know that With Love, Meghan is the FAKESTEST stuff ever,” one viewer posted on X.
“Six minutes of With Love, Meghan… ok only for richest people… bye bye,” wrote another.
“All of Meghan Markle’s recipes can be found on Pinterest,” claimed a third.
Vickers wasn’t sold on the authenticity either, questioning the glamorous kitchen setting:
“You don’t normally wear a white dress in the kitchen… it all looked a bit fake… and there are other people who are professional chefs who are very much better at it.”
Whether Meghan’s holiday special will win over critics or add more fuel to the royal rivalry narrative remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: every move by the Sussexes—big or small—still manages to draw the spotlight.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Meghan Markle right now. Come back here often for al The Royal Family spoilers, news, and updates.
Megan is a loser. Who watches anything she does? I have Netflix and I have never watched one second of her. If Netflix puts Meghan’s show on at the very same time as Princess Catherine’s Christmas celebration, it shows Meghan is vicious, nasty and truly hates the Royal family. Why would she want to do that? Why, because Meghan is a narcissist. It’s all about her which is why Meghan will never be a Royal.
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