‘Meghan Markle’s Netflix show mockery is out of order – my message to those who hate it’

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Meghan Markle has faced some brutal reviews since the release of her Netflix lifestyle show With Love, Meghan – and one royal expert has a message for those criticising the Duchess of Sussex

Meghan Markle’s Netflix may have made the top 10 chart for the most watched on the streaming platform last week.

But despite confirmation it is returning for a second series, it has received countless critical reviews. With Love, Meghan, which sees her share cooking and hosting tips and tricks, was seen as a make-or-break for the Sussexes’ multi-million dollar deal with Netflix, which they signed in 2020 when they dramatically quit their royal roles.

Prince Harry makes just one appearance at the end of the first season’s final episode when he joins Meghan, her mother Doria Ragland and friends for an outdoor celebratory brunch.

But royal expert Jennie Bond has one message for Meghan when it comes to the critical reviews – she shouldn’t “waste her time reading them”. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror : “The pile-on of utter mockery about her show has, in my opinion, been completely out of order. Even cruel.

“It is a lifestyle show. It is not a political debate or an analysis of global affairs. It’s not meant to have any great substance. It is a show about making things pretty or tasty or comfortable. It doesn’t pretend to be anything else. So I don’t think Meghan should change anything about it for her next series, which has already apparently been shot.

“The crew who worked on it have spoken about how charming and hospitable she was. That’s refreshing to hear. The show has quite a few handy little tips, if you’re interested. And if you’re not, then the answer is blindingly obvious: don’t watch it. But leave the poor woman alone and stop the b****y comments.”

Meanwhile, it has been announced that Meghan is launching a new podcast called Confessions of a Female Founder. She described the venture as “candid conversations” with “amazing women” about the success and struggles of their businesses. She wrote on her Instagram account that she was “so excited” to share the news, describing recording the series as “absolutely eye-opening, inspiring…and fun!”

The former Suits actress added: “Because what’s the point if we can’t have some fun on this wild adventure?” She said the women had shared their “tips, tricks (and tumbles)” as well as “letting me pick their brains as I build out my own business, As ever”.

The Duchess’ Archetypes podcast about female stereotypes in 2022 ran for just one series and was part of the Sussexes’ previous multimillion-pound deal with Spotify, which ended the year after.

The podcast has been created as part of a deal Meghan signed last year with Lemonada Media, which said listeners would hear “unfiltered stories behind the successes of notable female founders”.

Lemonada added: “As Meghan herself navigates the worldof entrepreneurship with the upcoming launch of her brand As ever, be inspired by the real, unfiltered stories and lessons learned from notable female founders—from knowing your worth, to trusting your gut, securing investors, and investing in yourself.”