"With Love, Meghan": A Glimpse into the Domestic Goddess Persona of the Duchess of Sussex

A New Chapter: The Premiere of "With Love, Meghan"

The highly anticipated Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, is set to premiere next week, marking a significant milestone in the life of its creator and star, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The show paints Meghan as a polished domestic goddess, effortlessly cooking, entertaining, and living a picturesque life in her coastal California home. This persona is one she has seemingly cultivated for over a decade, blending elegance, warmth, and a touch of aspirational living. However, the journey to this moment was far from straightforward.

Meghan’s aspirations to embrace this domestic persona were put on hold twice—first by her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018 and then by the couple’s very public and contentious breakup with the British royal family. The couple’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 sparked widespread media frenzy, followed by a series of strategic moves to share their story and build their personal brand. These included an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix docuseries titled Harry & Meghan, and Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare. Through it all, Meghan quietly nurtured her passion for the domestic arts, hinting at a future where she could fully embrace this identity.

From The Tig to As Ever: Meghan’s Evolution in Lifestyle Branding

Long before her royal life, Meghan displayed a keen interest in lifestyle and domesticity. In 2014, while still an actress on the USA Network series Suits, she launched The Tig, a lifestyle blog named after the Italian wine Tignanello. The site featured recipes, travel stories, and “Tig Talks” with notable figures, offering a curated glimpse into Meghan’s aspirational yet relatable worldview. Though she shut down The Tig in 2017 as her relationship with Prince Harry intensified, the spirit of that project lives on in her new ventures.

In 2022, Meghan announced her latest lifestyle brand, initially called American Riviera Orchard, with a teaser video showcasing her kitchen and garden. The brand, now renamed As Ever, reflects her enduring passion for cooking, gardening, and crafting. While some have criticized the name change and questioned the authenticity of her new persona, Meghan insists that this is a true reflection of who she has always been. “You know I’ve always loved cooking and crafting and gardening,” she shared in a video. “This is what I do.”

A Lifestyle Icon in the Making: Comparisons to Martha Stewart

The trailer for With Love, Meghan offers a glimpse into the show’s tone and content. Meghan, donning an apron, prepares decadent desserts for friends like actress Mindy Kaling and shares tips on floral arrangements and beekeeping. While these scenes showcase her warmth and creativity, some critics have pointed out that they bear a striking resemblance to the work of lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart, particularly in her 1982 book Entertaining. From the beekeeping scenes to her philosophy of elevating the ordinary, Meghan seems to channel Stewart’s approach, raising questions about originality.

Yet, Meghan’s ability to connect with audiences and her willingness to share her personal life may set her apart. Her past endeavors, such as her calligraphy work and The Tig, suggest a deep-rooted passion for the domestic arts. Whether she’s writing thank-you notes on personalized stationery or tending to her beehives, Meghan’s commitment to these pursuits feels genuine, even if the presentation is carefully curated.

Reactions and Expectations: Polarizing Opinions on Meghan’s New Venture

As the premiere of With Love, Meghan approaches, opinions on the show and its star remain divided. To her supporters, the series is a celebration of Meghan’s authenticity and creativity, offering a refreshing look at the life of a modern woman who embodies both glamour and relatability. To her critics, however, the show is seen as another calculated step in her personal branding journey, with some doubting whether she truly engages in the cooking and gardening she showcases.

While skepticism about her authenticity is valid, Meghan’s history suggests that her interest in lifestyle content is more than just a marketing ploy. Her early work on The Tig and her anecdotes about calligraphy and beekeeping reveal a woman who has long embraced the domestic arts. Whether viewers find her relatable or not may depend on their preexisting perceptions of her, but there’s no denying that she has crafted a compelling narrative around her new role.

The Premier and Beyond: How to Watch and What to Expect

All eight episodes of With Love, Meghan will drop on Netflix on March 4, marking a moment of high anticipation for both fans and critics. Notably, Netflix has not provided advance screeners to critics and bloggers, a strategic move that builds mystery and prevents early spoilers. While some may speculate about the show’s quality or authenticity, one thing is certain: Meghan’s ability to reinvent herself and connect with audiences will be put to the test.

Whether With Love, Meghan resonates with viewers or becomes the latest chapter in her polarizing public image remains to be seen. But for now, the duchess seems content in her new role as the "millennial Martha Stewart of Montecito," blending tradition with modern flair and inviting the world into her home. And who knows? She might just send her viewers a thank-you note, with love.