Meghan Markle’s ‘cringe-worthy’ return to the limelight marks her second attempt at becoming a Netflix star
At Meghan Markle’s reviving social media wasn’t the only thing she had cooking in the kitchen for the new year.
A day after Markle, 43, shared her first Instagram post in half a decade, the Duchess of Sussex released a trailer for her latest Netflix collaboration, a lifestyle series aptly titled “Love, Meghan.”
Fans, followers and critics were quick to question her return to the spotlight after a “creepy” 2025 snap of her taken by Prince Harry on the beach near their home in the affluent community Montecito, California
MEGHAN MARKLE RETURNS TO SOCIAL NETWORKS AFTER A FIVE-YEAR BREAK
Meghan Markle released a trailer for her new Netflix series almost 24 hours after returning to social media. (Netflix)
“Has anyone really noticed her absence from Instagram? It’s not like Meghan and Harry have been out of the spotlight for the past few years,” Christopher Andersen, author of “King,” he told Fox News Digital.
“The video itself is Harry and Meghan – he filmed it in silence, and it shows Meghan running out onto the beach on a cloudy day, then slowly scrawling ‘2025’ in the wet sand before running off. No dialogue, but lots of giggles. Her fans will find it cringe-worthy.”
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Markle offered a rare glimpse into her private life with a 30-second clip shared early Wednesday morning to mark the first day of the new year. She has not been active on the photo and video sharing site since 2020, around the time i prince harry announced their decision to step down from senior royal duties.
PRINCE HARRY QUESTIONS MEGHAN MARKLE DIVORCE RUMORS AMID DIVORCE SPECULATION
The post needed no caption as she drew “2025” in the sand before giggling as she ran through the frame.
“Her fans will find it charming. Her detractors will find it cringe-worthy. And the best is moving on.”
Almost 24 hours later, Markle shared a trailer for her new show with the streaming giant.
“I was so excited to share this with you,” Markle captioned the post. “I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it. I wish you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our awesome crew and the @netflix team. So incredibly grateful for your support – and the fun!”
Markle announced her new Netflix show Thursday on Instagram. (Netflix)
Brand expert Eric Schiffer told Fox News Digital that Markle’s latest television stint was a “recipe for ratings disaster.”
“I feel painfully compelled,” Schiffer said. “I think it’s proof that not all royal families are fun. Watching that, I was like … Is this Netflix or the Montecito Home Shopping Network?”
Prince Harry made a brief appearance between clips of the Duchess cooking, gardening and dancing in her kitchen alongside celebrity friends including Mindy Kaling and Roy Choi.
Produced by Markle, the series “reinvents the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical instruction and candid conversation with friends, new and old,” according to Netflix. “Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection and highlighting how easy it can be to create beauty, even the unexpected. She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, garden and beyond, and invite you to do the same.”
“It feels painfully forced. I think it’s proof that not all royals are fun. Watching it, I was like… Is this Netflix or the Montecito Home Shopping Network?”
Schiffer noted, “Showing cooking tips from someone with a personal chef isn’t revolutionary…least relatable lifestyle show ever.”
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The couple’s multi-year Netflix deal came after they stepped back from their royal duties and moved to California in 2020. They first released their bombshell docu-series, “Harry and Meghan,” in 2022. The series earned the largest one-day audience for any Netflix series since it began tracking in October 2022.
Markle laughs in the kitchen while filming her new Netflix series “With Love, Meghan.” (Netflix)
Harry and Meghan kiss in their kitchen in a shot from their Netflix documentary, which follows their lives as they leave the royal family. (Courtesy of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex)
A year later, they continued with the documentary series “Heart of Invictus” in 2023 and produced “Polo” in 2024.
In February, Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said the duo were working on several projects with the streaming service.
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“They have a few unwritten things they’re working on with Brandon [Reigg, Vice President, Nonfiction Series and Comedy Specials at Netflix]”, Bajaria said at the Next on Netflix event, trans Hello! magazine. “And they actually have a bunch of development. They have a movie in development, a [scripted] of the series they are working on. So it’s all very early development, with a movie, a TV show and a couple of unscripted series. But yes, the movie is great.”
Brand expert Doug Eldridge questioned Markle’s direction with her brand narrative heading into the new year.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix show, “Harry & Meghan,” premieres in December 2022. (Netflix)
“In 2025, brands are built by word of mouth and social media; they are sustained by proven results and solid customer service,” Eldridge said. “For Markle, it’s more about the latter—she’s completely lost control of her brand’s narrative, and thus public perception and sentiment. It’s not clear if she plans to stay in the media and entertainment industry or if she wants to plant her flag in the boutique goods space.
“In either case, the return to social media is an absolute necessity, if for no other reason than to emerge from the waterfall of negative press and public speculation – much of it self-inflicted – in recent years.”
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He added: “She’s burned a lot of matches – and probably even more bridges – over the last few years, so she’s running out of time and, most importantly, interest, when it comes to the consumer public. Measure twice, cut once, and stick the landing .”
