Meghan Markle’s handwritten note to an influencer who said she was “scared” for her ahead of her new Netflix show was given a bold five-word verdict by a royal expert, who said it “smacks of a PR stunt”. The Duchess of Sussex’s new lifestyle series was released on Netflix earlier this month.
With Love, Meghan received mixed reviews from fans but was mostly savaged by critics despite climbing on the streaming giant’s global Top 10 list and being renewed for a second season. Among those who criticised Meghan’s show was Amanda Hirsch, a podcaster with a large social media following. Back in January, ahead of the show’s release, Ms Hirsch posted a video of herself watching the trailer of the series with the caption: “You guys, I’m scared for Meghan.”
She explained how Meghan will receive hate no matter what, explaining: “I’m genuinely concerned for Meghan. I am not a Meghan hater at all, it feels like a Blake Lively situation where people just piled on this woman.
“I haven’t formed an opinion. I don’t hate her like a lot of the world does. I understand that some people are like ‘she’s inauthentic’ – I get it.
“From the trailer, it looks like it might be kind of trying to be a Martha Stewart situation that feels a little forced. The trailer at least doesn’t seem like she’s going to come across as relatable, which I feel like she’ll want to try to be. I’m scared for her.”
Meghan recently sent the influencer a handwritten letter featuring her royal monogram, which said: “Dear Amanda, I heard you were feeling scared. Don’t be! This is the fun part — let’s enjoy it,” the Duchess of Sussex wrote, and signed the message “As ever, Meghan.”
Now royal expert Jennie Bond said that the latest update “smacks of a PR stunt” but praised the duchess for “leaving the royal row behind”.
The Duchess has been in an ongoing feud with the Royal Family ever since she and Prince Harry stepped down as senior working royals and moved to the US in 2020.
Ms Bond told the Mirror: “This does rather smack of a PR stunt – either by Amanda Hirsch or by Meghan. Who knows? It certainly has brought Amanda a whole load of publicity, and she’s the one who chose to make it public.”
She added: “Beyond that she is happy that her show is finally out, and that she has other projects on the go. I think she has definitely left the royal row behind.
“She has the husband and the children she loves all settled in the Californian sunshine, living in the lap of luxury. And she is earning her keep as an independent working woman. What’s not to like?”
Season two of With Love, Meghan is set to be released sometime this autumn.