With Love, Meghan – Does It Live Up to Expectations?

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are a duo who have cut all ties with the British Royal Family to supposedly live a life away from the public eye, but still say “We are here!” with their interviews, books and lifestyle programs. We still haven’t fully understood which side they are trying to choose, whether they prefer seclusion or fame. Meghan Markle seems to be somewhere close to the “TradWife” trend that has recently become very popular on TikTok. She draws a portrait that is close to traditional male-female norms, enjoys spending time in the kitchen and with her family, and is in favor of naturalness. So is the former princess’s With Love a cry for help for Meghan, or is she still interesting, leaving aside her old-fashionedness?

"With Love, Meghan" finally aired in early March and the first comments have started coming in. It is known that there is such a thing as the "Meghan Effect": No matter what, she is a media figure and every step she takes as an outcast part of the royal family is sensational. So, does her new program meet expectations? In the program, Markle seems to live a simple but impressive life. The topics covered in the program, Meghan's style of narration and energy certainly make it enjoyable to watch. However, the program is quite superficial in places. We do not get any in-depth information, but we only open the curtain of Meghan's secret and examine her life, which we are very curious about.

Yes, “With Love, Meghan” is a lifestyle program in the true sense. Markle appears in her stunning California home, cooking in her garden or chatting with her friends over a glass of wine at sunset. The most talked about part of Markle’s program on social media is her pasta, which she prepares in a single pan. Instead of boiling the pasta in a separate pot, Markle adds boiling water directly to a pan full of tomatoes and green vegetables. Despite the criticisms Markle receives on social media about this style, no, she is not a chef and she does not claim to be. The program is not limited to just recipes. Markle tries to establish a sincere connection with the audience by presenting sections from her own life. She shares memories from her childhood and even touches on her memories with her mother. “With Love, Meghan” is like a project by the princess, who is disliked by the public, to make herself loved and to make us feel that she is just like us.

The project is far from British influence, and is culturally closer to Markle's Californian identity. The reflections within the royal family are quite mixed. Kate Middleton is said to have found the program positive. However, it is claimed that King Charles, Prince William and Queen Camilla do not even feel the need to watch the program. In contrast, names that have previously supported Markle, such as Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, are behind "With Love, Meghan."

Despite all the controversy, Netflix has already confirmed a second season of the show. This means that Markle is still keeping viewers glued to the screen despite the controversy. What other surprises will Markle have in store for us in the next season? Maybe we’ll see a new pesto recipe or an episode full of references to the royal family. All we know is that Meghan Markle’s journey on TV will not be limited to “Suits.” Perhaps Markle is trying to create an identity for herself that is independent of the royal family, and she may be successful in doing so.