Top 10 Controversial Moments in Meghan Markle's Netflix Show 'With Love, Meghan'
Meghan Markle's latest Netflix venture, “With Love, Meghan,” exploded online but not in the way she might have wanted. Viewers slammed the series as tone-deaf and disconnected from everyday life, with many episodes failing to hit the relatable mark Meghan aimed for. From awkward interactions to questionable choices, here’s a deep dive into the top 10 most controversial and cringe-inducing moments from the show that sparked endless debates among royal watchers and entertainment fans.
1. When she corrected Mindy Kaling
In a standout awkward exchange, Mindy Kaling casually called her “Meghan Markle,” only for the Duchess to swiftly correct her, insisting on “Meghan Sussex.” Did this slip through Netflix's editing, or was it a deliberate nod to push back against media habits? Either way, Mindy’s stunned, uncomfortable reaction became instant meme fodder, highlighting tensions around her post-royal identity. As reported by entertainment outlets like Variety (variety.com), such moments fuel ongoing discussions about celebrity rebranding.
2. All the puns
The series opens with Meghan harvesting honey from her personal beehive—a setup that already raises eyebrows on relatability. Who has their own bees at home? It gets worse with her barrage of dad-level puns, dubbing the bees “busy bees” that “work hard for the money,” plus gems like “a latte love.” These forced jokes left audiences cringing, questioning if they align with the show’s cozy, approachable vibe. Social media erupted, turning them into viral punchlines.
3. “Homemade” gift bags
Meghan proudly showcased her tradition of gifting bags to houseguests, building hype for something artisanal. Instead, it was just Trader Joe’s peanut butter pretzels dumped into a cellophane bag and rebranded as a “gourmet snack.” The over-the-top TV reveal felt unnecessary and sparked mockery online—why broadcast such a basic hack? It underscored perceptions of the show’s lavish-but-relatable facade.
4. Lots of self-promotional product placement
Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever takes center stage, especially its jam, which pops up in nearly every episode. The pinnacle? A shortbread cookie demo where she suggests skipping homemade efforts: “If you just want to buy one of those mixes [cough], do it,” winking slyly. It’s a blatant plug for As Ever’s upcoming shortbread mix. Critics, including those at The Hollywood Reporter (hollywoodreporter.com), called out the heavy self-promotion, blurring lines between lifestyle show and infomercial.
5. All the references to her absent husband
Episode two features Meghan frying bacon, gushing about her husband’s love for it with a cringey twist: “My bacon brings all the boys to the yard.” She name-drops him often, yet Prince Harry only appears in a quick end-credits cameo. Fans wondered why he didn’t feature more prominently, especially given their joint brand. This absence fueled speculation about behind-the-scenes dynamics in their Netflix deals.
6. Meghan rarely asked her guests questions
Talk shows thrive on host-guest banter, but Meghan flipped the script, dominating with personal stories while skimping on questions for her guests. Viewers noticed the imbalance, and podcaster Megyn Kelly pointed out dubbed-over questions with visible cuts, per GB News interviews (gbnews.com). It left some feeling the format prioritized Meghan’s narrative over genuine connections—what makes a good host, after all?
7. Putting flowers in everything she cooks
Meghan’s aesthetic obsession shines through her dishes, garnished with pricey edible flowers for that Instagram-worthy pop. They add color but zero flavor, prompting internet roasts like a Redditor’s “Why does she put flowers on everything she cooks 😭😭??” It became a symbol of style-over-substance critiques in her culinary segments.
8. Food safety controversy
A fridge shot revealed raw chicken drumsticks stored bare on the racks—no container in sight—igniting salmonella fears and hygiene backlash. The internet deemed it “disgusting,” even after Meghan clarified it was parboiled. Food safety experts, echoed in discussions on sites like Food Safety News (foodsafetynews.com), highlighted risks, amplifying the viral outrage.
9. The fake house it was filmed in
Filming in a set house for privacy makes sense for high-profile stars, but Meghan repeatedly calls it out: “This isn’t my house” or “This isn’t my kitchen.” These meta comments shattered immersion, drawing attention to the production artifice rather than the content. It left viewers questioning the authenticity she was selling.
10. Many chefs turned down the opportunity to be on the show
Big-name chefs passed on Netflix exposure, including Michelin-starred Chef Jameson, who’d cooked for King Charles. He declined fearing it’d seem “fake and forced,” later telling GB News the aired product was “painful to watch.” This rejection wave suggests industry skepticism toward the show’s vibe. What’s your take on these moments—overhyped drama or fair critique? Share in the comments!
