With Love, Meghan

With Love, Meghan - Image curtsy of Netflix

I’ll be honest—With Love, Meghan isn’t really my kind of show.

I’m all for a good DIY home renovation series, a cooking show that might inspire me with new recipes, or even a gardening show at a pinch. But a Netflix lifestyle show from a former royal? Not something I’d race home to watch. That being said, I was still curious to check it out for a few reasons.

First, the show has received overwhelmingly negative feedback—not surprising given the usual press coverage Meghan Markle receives. Most press around Meghan Markle—now known as Meghan Sussex, as she announces in episode one—is fairly negative. The former actress and blogger, now Duchess, doesn’t seem like she can catch a break.

It’s well known that she’s working to carve out a new identity, following in the footsteps of lifestyle icons like Ina Garten and Martha Stewart—which is great, if we give her the chance. At its core, she wants to be seen as relatable—down-to-earth, family-oriented, and embracing a farm-to-table lifestyle. And, to be fair, that’s a concept that resonates with most of us.

A couple of disclaimers before I go too far—I’m only four episodes in out of the eight produced, so I’ve watched about half the series. Also, about a year ago, Meghan teased a new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard which never went anywhere. Last month, she announced, with a number of learnings under her belt, that her much-discussed jam business was finally back on track and rebranded as As Ever. Now, full disclosure: I tried hard to become part of the team that would bring that brand to life. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, so here I am, still trying to bring Avohaven to greatness.

With Love, Meghan - Image curtsy of Netflix

Part of my pitch for American Riviera Orchard (now As Ever) was to craft a lifestyle brand around the Duchess—blending her curated, artisan products with personal moments to make her more relatable. My goal was to present her as someone who feels accessible—down-to-earth, unafraid to get messy in the kitchen, and practical enough to embrace shortcuts when needed, just as we do. At the time, I had no idea she was planning to create a Netflix series about herself, essentially doing just that. So, four episodes in, has With Love, Meghan achieved what I was hoping for her business?

If you look at the hundreds of posts written since the series premiered on March 4, you’d assume she hasn’t. 

The show takes us through various domestic activities—cooking, beekeeping, and crafting—alongside friends and experts, all set against the backdrop of a stunning multi-million-dollar rental estate in Montecito, California. The property, supposedly not far from her actual home, boasts expansive views of the Santa Ynez Mountains, much like her own residence, and features beautifully maintained grounds that create a dreamlike setting. While most of the series is filmed at the rental, we do catch glimpses of Meghan’s real home—scenes featuring her backyard, chicken coop, and vegetable garden were reportedly filmed on her property. The choice to use a rental estate allows her to maintain privacy while keeping a clear distinction between work and family life, which, to me, makes sense. After all, who would want a production crew of 80-plus people disrupting their home?

Still, many viewers seem frustrated by the lack of deeper access to her private world. But in blending both locations, Meghan achieves a balance—offering just enough personal insight while keeping boundaries intact.

Daniel Martin and Meghan enjoying the view of Santa Ynez Mountains - Image curtsy of Netflix

To be honest, I found the first episode a bit hard to get through. It felt a bit rigid, likely because it was the first filmed. But as the series progressed—and with four episodes down—both Meghan and the show seemed to loosen up, revealing glimpses of a more natural, unrehearsed Meghan. That said, we have to remember this is a Netflix production, a personal passion project designed to present an image.

If you’re hoping to watch With Love, Meghan and get a peek at her home, her husband, or her children, you might be disappointed. That hasn't happened so far, and I don't believe it does for the rest of the series—though from what I’ve read, Harry does make an appearance in the final episode. But if you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing, slow-paced lifestyle show featuring someone you undoubtedly know—whether from the tv show Suits or from following Royal Family drama—then it delivers. And honestly, I think it’s a clever way to introduce this new era of Meghan Markle—I mean, Sussex—and the perfect setup for her business, As Ever.

Her preserves and edible Flower Sprinkles are a regular feature in the episodes I’ve seen so far, subtly reinforcing her products as she entertains. And if she ever passes on her recipe for Flower Sprinkles, you can rest assured Avohaven will recreate it.

So, if I were working with Meghan to bring her company to life would I have portrayed her this way? Yes, I think I probably would.

Final thoughts: while it may not be groundbreaking television it makes for some relaxed viewing with a cuppa—after the first episode. 

What do you think? Have you watched it yet?

And Meghan, if you’re reading this—I’m still available. Or maybe an Avohaven collab?