The spotlight shines brightly on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and their endeavors continue to spark public discussion. Recently, Meghan's new series, “With Love, Meghan,” has become a point of contention, with some royal commentators questioning the involvement, albeit indirect, of their children, Archie and Lilibet.
“With Love, Meghan,” now in its second series, offers viewers a glimpse into the Sussexes' personal life, particularly their culinary world. The show features Meghan creating family recipes alongside celebrity guests like Chrissy Teigen and Tan France. It aims to provide a warm, inviting look into their home and lifestyle.
However, not everyone is thrilled with the approach. Royal expert Hugo Vickers, a seasoned author of numerous royal biographies, has voiced his concerns, suggesting that Prince Harry might be less than pleased with Meghan's decision to subtly incorporate their children into the promotional material, even if their faces are not fully revealed.
Vickers argues that Harry, who has always been protective of his children's privacy, might find the situation problematic. He believes that Harry often complies with Meghan's decisions, which could be a source of underlying tension.
Beyond Harry's potential feelings, Vickers raises a more profound question about the long-term implications for Archie and Lilibet. He wonders how they will perceive their exposure to the public eye when they are older and better understand the dynamics of their parents' fame and their own place in the royal narrative.
“What worries me much more, to be quite honest, is what the children themselves are going to think when they get a little bit older and they realize how they’ve been exploited,” Vickers stated, highlighting the potential for future regret or resentment.
Another poignant point Vickers brings up is the children's separation from their royal heritage in the UK. He suggests that Archie and Lilibet may eventually realize they've been kept apart from their paternal family, including their grandfather, King Charles, and their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who lead a vastly different life within the British monarchy.
The absence of a third series announcement for "With Love, Meghan" adds another layer of speculation. While the show is part of the Sussexes' broader Netflix deal, its future remains uncertain, potentially influencing Meghan's strategies and content choices.
The Sussexes' initial Netflix deal, reportedly worth a substantial £100 million, has placed significant expectations on their content creation. With only five years to deliver successful projects, Meghan has been under pressure to develop engaging and impactful series.
Vickers observes that Meghan seems to be constantly reinventing herself and her approach, seeking projects that resonate with audiences and achieve the level of success she desires. This constant pivoting reflects the high stakes and intense scrutiny she faces in her post-royal career.
He critiques this pattern, noting, "I mean, all the things that she does seem to me not to be the success that she would have wished for them. And therefore she keeps, you know, coming up with new ideas, reinventing herself, reinventing things. I mean, I’ve never seen somebody who’s changed direction quite so many times as Meghan Markle."
Vickers believes that involving the children in promotional efforts is fundamentally "wrong," arguing that it amounts to exploiting them for publicity. He suggests that the Sussexes should take cues from how UK Prime Ministers handle their children's visibility, generally keeping them out of the public eye except for carefully managed photo opportunities.
“It’s wrong for anyone to exploit children, you know. The situation comes with politicians, you know, most of our Prime Ministers, the only time you see the children are when they’re leaving Downing Street, when they sort of take them by the hand and lead them out, you know. Otherwise, they’re kept in the background," Vickers explained.
This contrasts with the Sussexes' approach, which, while attempting to maintain privacy, still includes glimpses of their family life, creating a public interest and debate.
Notably, the Sussexes typically maintain a high level of privacy regarding their children, making any perceived use of them for promotional purposes all the more noteworthy and controversial.
The Sussexes' non-profit organization, Archewell, has been contacted for comment, but as of yet, there has been no official response to the criticism surrounding the children's involvement in the series.
In other revelations about the couple, Meghan once shared that Harry was the first to express "I love you" in their relationship. She also recounted a pivotal moment when she realized she was falling in love with Harry during a camping trip in Botswana.
“You really get to know someone when you are in a little tent together and there’s what is that out there – ‘is that an elephant are we going to be safe?’” Meghan humorously recalled, highlighting the vulnerability and shared experience that deepened their connection.
Before her acting career took off, Meghan held various jobs, including a stint as a hostess at the now-closed Mirabelle restaurant in Hollywood. She recounted her experience, emphasizing her understanding of her strengths and refusing to take on a waitress role despite potentially higher tips.
"Remember when I was a hostess at Mirabelle, on Sunset? It was a great job, he was like ‘do you want to be a waitress’ [and] I was like ‘I’m really good at hostessing, that is not my lane. I understand my lane, so no, I will take less tips but do the thing I’m really good at,'" she explained.
Since stepping down as a senior working royal in 2020 and relocating to California, Meghan has engaged in numerous business ventures. These include Archewell, her non-profit organization; a former Spotify show focusing on female stereotypes; investments in a women-owned wellness latte brand; a minority stake in a handbag brand supporting Rwandan artisans; the American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand selling jam; and an online store featuring her curated fashion and beauty items.
These diverse ventures reflect Meghan's entrepreneurial spirit and her commitment to various causes, showcasing her multifaceted approach to her post-royal life.
As the debate surrounding "With Love, Meghan" continues, it underscores the challenges and complexities of balancing public life, family privacy, and personal ambitions in the modern era. The choices made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain a subject of intense interest and scrutiny, highlighting the enduring fascination with the royal family and its evolving role in contemporary society.