Meghan Markle’s glitzy promo for her new Netflix series features a string of famous faces.
The Duchess of Sussex is seen with actresses Mindy Kaling and former Suits star Abigail Spencer as well as top chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters. However, by far the most recognisable face making a very fleeting cameo appearance in the trailer for With Love, Meghan is Prince Harry.
The Sussexes have rarely been seen together in recent months as they have been concentrating on their separate careers. Sources say Meghan is focusing on her business ventures while Harry concentrates on his charitable work. However, it hasn’t stopped tongues from wagging, especially as Meghan memorably described her and Harry just two years ago as “salt and pepper” as they always “move together”.
Prince Harry during his fleeting appearance in the trailer for Meghan’s new show (
Image:
Netflix)
But in the trailer for With Love, Meghan, Harry can be seen embracing his wife. And according to body language expert Judi James, this gesture speaks volumes about how Harry views Meghan’s latest project. She told the Mirror : “Meghan has swapped fierce feminism for friends, florals and fruit here in this mini-explosion of her personal depiction of love.
“Beneath all the food-worrying this popularity-promo video and possibly the series shows strong hints of messaging how much Meghan loves and is loved. ‘Love’ is the word repeated most in the title and the soundtrack, followed up by ‘friends’ as well as ‘family’ and ‘joy’. She dances, skips and giggles as she is surrounded by loving, admiring faces, including a happily snoring dog.
“Where most influencers talk straight to camera, making the audience their friends, Meghan is friend-flaunting here, inviting us to watch her Montecito ‘family’ and there is a glimpse of Harry hugging her with a facial expression of beaming pride and emotional reward for what she is achieving and who she is.”
Meghan in the trailer for her new show With Love, Meghan (
Image:
PA)
During the trailer, Meghan is seen inviting friends and famous guests to a California estate, where she shares cooking, gardening and hosting tips. It was announced a day after she returned to Instagram for the first time since 2020, where Meghan wrote on Thursday: “I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it. Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support – and fun!”
And expert Judi believes the trailer is a clear attempt at a rebrand for the Duchess. She added: “Meghan’s latest career re-brand shows her down-dressed in basic shirts and aprons. Her vocal tone has changed to suit the intimacy of the scenes shown and to suggest quiet affection and of course a state of ‘love’. She uses the back of her throat to speak in a soft ‘creak’ that also becomes a whisper at one point.
“‘Gravitating’ towards flowers or showing off how much honey her bees have made might not create an accessible lifestyle reveal and her kitchen image is clearly as far away as possible from the Gordon Ramsay school of shouting and slamming stuff about, but as a PR exercise for Meghan herself it looks like a powerful attempt at a ‘sweet-treat’ re-branding.”
A promotional synopsis of the show says: “This inspiring series, produced by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-tos and candid conversation with friends, new and old.
“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.” The 33-minute shows are set to premiere on Netflix on January 15.
