Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which debuted last week, quickly became one of the most-watched new series of the year. While the show captivated millions with its light-hearted mix of lifestyle tips and celebrity appearances, the true conversation surrounding the series has revolved around its potential “subtle messages” aimed at her British royal in-laws.
In the show, Meghan, 43, is seen sharing moments with friends such as actresses Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer, as well as makeup artist Daniel Martin. However, some viewers have fixated on the underlying hints they perceive as commentary on Meghan’s royal life. Sources suggest that the Duchess is fully aware of how these messages will be received.
“She knows exactly what she’s doing,” a source reveals. “She’ll say just enough to get the subtle messages across but not so much that she could be accused of being bitter or ungrateful.”
Meghan, who stepped back from her royal duties with her husband, Prince Harry, in 2020, appears to want the world to see her as the woman she was before marrying into the royal family—yet she’s careful not to come across as dismissing her royal experiences entirely. “She wants to show that she’s likeable, as normal as any famous actress can be, but also that she hasn’t been broken by her past,” the source continues.
In the fifth episode of the show, a conversation between Meghan and Spencer has raised eyebrows, with Spencer saying, “We’ve all been through a lot,” before looking at Meghan, prompting speculation that it may be another subtle dig at Meghan’s time within the royal family.
Branding expert Lynn Carratt of Press Box PR suggests that the show’s carefully curated presentation of Meghan’s life is intentional. “There are clear signals that Meghan is trying to project an image of the perfect mother, wife, host, and friend,” Carratt explains. “It’s almost as if she’s saying, ‘Look at me, I’m happy. Harry and I made the right decision by leaving the royal family.’”
The final episode of the eight-part series culminates in Meghan hosting a brunch for friends and family, including Harry, 40, and her mother, Doria Ragland. It is during this gathering that Meghan unveils her new lifestyle brand, As Ever, calling it a “new chapter” in her life. Many see this as a deliberate signal that she is definitively closing the book on her royal life.
In another moment, while tasting a dish, Meghan remarks, “It tastes like home, and I’ve missed California,” further solidifying her connection to her current life in the U.S., despite ongoing speculation about a potential return to the UK.
PR expert Carratt notes that Meghan’s comments about reclaiming her creativity and freedom could be interpreted as a veiled critique of her time as a working royal. “In the monarchy, her freedom was stifled,” Carratt says. “Protocols and traditions didn’t sit well with her. She had to give up parts of her previous life, including her blog The Tig, to fit into the royal family.”
Throughout the series, Meghan alludes to themes of healing and personal growth. In a conversation with Vicky Tsai, co-founder of a Japanese skincare brand, Meghan reflects on the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which involves repairing broken pottery with gold. She explains, “If you break something that’s precious, it’s not broken. It can be fixed, it can be sealed and healed at the same time.” Some have interpreted this as a metaphor for Meghan’s own journey and her time within the royal family, suggesting that despite the challenges, she is not broken.
The topic of the Sussexes retaining their royal titles has been a subject of ongoing debate since they stepped back from royal duties. Carratt notes that Meghan’s comment regarding her Sussex title—correcting Mindy Kaling’s reference to her name in the show—seems to indicate that she is still holding on to her royal ties when it suits her. “She seems to enjoy the idea of being a royal when it benefits her,” Carratt observes.
While the show’s depiction of Meghan’s idyllic life may be carefully crafted, Carratt warns that if Meghan continues with this portrayal, she could risk alienating viewers. “This picture-perfect life isn’t real for anyone, and people are starting to see through it,” she says.
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