With Meghan’s new venture previously rumoured to be a cookery show, viewers might have been expecting her to reinvent herself as a Nigella-style Kitchen Goddess for a new generation.
But according to sources who have seen a preview of the series, the Duchess of Sussex won’t be seen going through recipes step by step and measuring out ingredients.
Instead, the show – titled With Love, Meghan – will be a ‘how-to’ guide to entertaining, offering inspiration and ideas for those who aspire to be the perfect hostess.
Screened by Netflix, it is also likely to be the final project in Meghan and Prince Harry’s $100million deal with the US streaming giant.
The show continues with what is seen as her ‘brand separation’ from her husband, with sources saying that Harry is ‘barely glimpsed’ and ‘barely mentioned’. So how it will be received by viewers is set to depend on Meghan’s charisma alone.
There is also no mention or sighting of the couple’s children Archie and Lilibet – although this is less of a surprise as they closely guard their offspring’s privacy.
The source said: ‘There is no point at which Meghan says “take 200 grams of flour” or anything like that.
‘It’s a very magical and beautiful guide to hosting and entertaining rather than a how-to cookery show. It’s about inspiration – more like, “Why not try and make this kind of pasta or this kind of dessert”. Harry isn’t in it.
It’s all her, and all about her. It’s very watchable.’
The eight-part series will now launch on March 4 after Meghan, who lives with Harry in Montecito, California, felt that to screen it as planned on January 15 – eight days after the LA wildfires broke out – would be insensitive. In a statement, she said: ‘I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state.’
Produced by Meghan and her team at Archewell – the business she set up with Harry – together with the Intellectual Property Corporation, an offshoot of Sony, With Love’s promotional material features the blurb: ‘Create wonder in every moment.’
Netflix said the show ‘blends practical how-tos and candid conversation with friends, new and old’.
It adds: ‘Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection, and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected.
‘She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same.’
Guests will include actress Mindy Kaling and chefs Alice Waters and Roy Choi. A number of Meghan’s personal friends, including her make-up artist Daniel Martin, Delfina Blaquier – who is married to Prince Harry’s best pal, polo player Nacho Figueras – and fashion designer Tracy Robbins, whose partner is Paramount boss Brian Robbins, will also be guests.
Last month, Ms Blaquier wrote on Instagram: ‘Congrats for the love and hard work you put into this project of yours! So grateful to be a part of it – I can’t wait to see all you have to share.’
Ms Blaquier and her husband also featured in the Netflix show Polo, which was made by Prince Harry. It was screened in December but received poor reviews.
Mrs Robbins appeared in the trailer for With Love and is seen chinking glasses with Meghan. She wrote: ‘So excited to share! Congrats my friend.’
Mr Martin, who did Meghan’s make-up for her wedding in 2018 and also attended her baby shower in New York in 2019, wrote: ‘My culinary confidence is due to @meghan and I’m so excited for you all to watch this!’
Actress Abigail Spencer, who starred in Suits with Meghan, also appears on the new show.
She wrote on Instagram last month: ‘So elated for you @meghan! Happy New Year & 20twentythrive indeed!
‘How lucky are we to get a glimpse into your heart-song, magical-thoughtfulness & deliciously wonderful ways! Can’t wait for all to fall in love with #WithLove Meghan.
‘Thanks for having me over & being truly the most wonderful friend a gal could get. Joy & bubbles abound. Here to learn. I’ll get the salt.’
