Admittedly, it's Packed with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the time of year, it's perpetually fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the program's earlier episodes to shreds. The common opinion seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (also known as a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The standard components we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering the odd random outburst. ("I love spinach!" … "A tradition has to have a beginning." … "A tree is part of my memory and love of the holiday season.") She's an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She is aware her every micro expression, utterance and look will be dissected and judged, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Since, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and over the top – but doesn't that represent just what Christmas is about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with flair. Her recipes looks delicious, the wreath she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is average or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she wraps wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the intensity of attention she has endured from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even tone down her routine, regardless of it being so persistently, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. We don't have the draft in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a duchess or a office worker, few children fully understands the time and energy their mum expends in December. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a candy.