Meghan Markle ‘with love’ doesn’t fit with her backstabbing royal past

Meghan Markle’s new public image – softened with a sickeningly sweet “With Love, Meghan” tagline – feels like a leap too far from her bitter backstabbing and combative past.

The Duchess of Sussex is working hard to rebuild her career and image, with her new Netflix lifestyle series airing on January 15.

The sudden pivot from “airing grievances” to a warm and fuzzy domestic lifestyle show has left many sceptical. It’s not just the content of the series in question but the inconsistency in Markle’s narrative that’s hard to ignore.

The show promises a mix of cooking, gardening, beekeeping, and flower arranging with celebrity guests such as Mindy Kaling and renowned chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters. 

Netflix described the series as “re-imagining the genre of lifestyle programming” with a focus on “playfulness over perfection.”

But the glossy sheen of “With Love, Meghan” can’t erase the bitterness that has characterised her previous media appearances. 

Her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she accused the Royal Family of racism, remains one of the most explosive moments in recent royal history. 

Markle alleged that members of the family expressed concerns over the potential skin colour of her son, Archie, a claim that caused a global media storm and further fractured the Sussexes’ relationship with the monarchy. 

In the same interview, Markle painted a grim picture of her life as a royal, claiming she was silenced, unsupported, and even suicidal at times. 

While her revelations sparked important conversations about race and mental health, critics noted the lack of specifics in some of her allegations, leading to doubts about the credibility of her claims.

Her public remarks haven’t stopped there. Markle has repeatedly criticised the Firm, calling it outdated and implying it stifled her independence.

Prince Harry’s memoir Spare supported the couple’s narrative, portraying them as victims of a rigid, unfeeling system.

 However, the Sussexes’ tendency to air grievances has alienated more people than it has rallied supporters, with some accusing the couple of capitalising on their royal connections while simultaneously denouncing them. 

For many, the juxtaposition between Markle’s previous mudslinging and her new warm, domestic persona feels disingenuous.

The “with love” branding appears out of step with the negativity that has defined her media strategy to date.

It’s a far cry from the sincerity seen in similar lifestyle ventures by other public figures, such as the Princess of Wales, who has been praised for her charitable initiatives like her early years campaign, or David Beckham’s work around sustainability and beekeeping. Markle’s efforts often feel more like a hustle than a passion project. 

There’s also little about the concept of “With Love, Meghan” that feels original.