Meghan Markle’s newest Netflix Christmas special was meant to showcase warmth, nostalgia, and festive charm. Instead, it unexpectedly reignited a wave of criticism as viewers spotted a pattern they claim Meghan has never quite been able to let go of: a longing for royal life, minus the responsibilities. Her casual comments about missing certain British holiday traditions, paired with her elaborate attempts to recreate those customs in California, have left many wondering whether Meghan is trying to rebuild a monarchy of her own—just without the actual crown.
Throughout the episode, Meghan guides celebrity guests through holiday crafts, seasonal dishes, and cozy conversations. But what caught most viewers’ attention was her sudden shift into reminiscing about British Christmas rituals as though she were still living at Sandringham. The Christmas crackers, the table rituals, the small jokes inside—Meghan spoke about them with a strangely affectionate tone that contrasted sharply with past claims of feeling suffocated by royal expectations.
To some, this was harmless nostalgia. But to others, it was a revealing moment. One viewer commented online, “She left the monarchy because it was unbearable. Now she’s recreating the monarchy on Netflix. Make it make sense.” The sentiment spread quickly as clips circulated, showing Meghan explaining British customs with the same authority and precision she once criticized the Royal Family for imposing upon her.
The tension grew further when Harry appeared. His cameo, though brief and playful, reminded audiences of a recent incident in which the couple had been accused of mocking American culture on live television. Their remarks—originally meant to be humorous—were interpreted by many Americans as patronizing. For that reason, Meghan’s sudden exaltation of British holiday traditions over American ones struck some viewers as tone-deaf and, in the eyes of critics, even insulting.
In one scene, Meghan praises the “sweetness and charm” of British crackers, while laughing off certain American holiday foods as flavors she rarely touches. It wasn’t the comment itself that stirred backlash, but the tone. A Los Angeles mother interviewed after watching the episode said, “It felt like she was saying British traditions are sophisticated and American ones are just… there. Why did she leave the U.K. again if it was so magical?”
Meghan’s defenders insist the criticism is unfair, arguing that nostalgia shouldn’t be interpreted as disrespect. A media consultant familiar with celebrity branding noted, “People romanticize places they’ve lived before. Meghan isn’t attacking America. She’s simply sharing what felt festive to her in the past. It’s storytelling, not strategy.” Yet even this neutral explanation couldn’t compete with the online storm.
The real spark seemed to come from the context around the show rather than the episode itself. After years of distancing themselves from the Royal Family, the Sussexes have consistently emphasized their desire for independence and authenticity. But viewers saw the Christmas special as filled with subtle royal references, staged aesthetics, and even palace-like decor—elements that made Montecito seem more like a reimagined Sandringham than a Californian escape.
A British commentator watching from London offered a much harsher view: “She claims she doesn’t miss the duties, the titles, or the pressure. Fair enough. But she clearly misses the prestige. This show looks like an audition to become America’s unofficial royal figure.” His remark echoed the growing suspicion that Meghan’s new career path is less about rejecting monarchy and more about reinventing it in a country that famously broke away from it.
The controversy heightened near the end of the episode, when Harry enters the kitchen. He jokes about holiday dishes, kisses Meghan on the cheek, and compliments her cooking in a scene that feels carefully lit and meticulously framed. Viewers called it “royal-coded cinematography”—a phrase that quickly trended. Meghan’s delighted reaction to Harry comparing her dish to Doria’s added yet another layer, prompting some to say she was “performing family perfection” in a way reminiscent of highly orchestrated royal public appearances.
One social-media critic summarized the public confusion: “If you love royal traditions so much, just say that. Don’t pretend you hated everything about it while recreating it in your kitchen in Montecito.”
Despite the backlash, the Christmas special continues to climb Netflix’s internal rankings. Whether audiences tune in out of affection, curiosity, or pure drama is another question entirely. But one thing is clear: Meghan’s complicated relationship with the monarchy—part rejection, part imitation—is far from over. And with every glittering ornament and every British-inspired holiday ritual she brings to California, the debate over what she truly wants her life to be only grows louder.
