Meghan Markle’s Netflix Holiday Special Draws Mixed Reactions for Its Glossy Festive Flair

Key Points

• Meghan Markle’s new Netflix holiday special blends heartfelt traditions with highly stylized celebrations.
• Viewers are divided over the authenticity of Markle’s elaborate holiday crafting and décor.
• Guest appearances include Will Guidara, Naomi Osaka, Chef Tom Colicchio, and a cameo from Prince Harry.
• Several moments highlight a contrast between genuine connection and overproduced holiday cheer.
• The special ends with audiences curious—but cautious—about future installments.

Meghan Markle’s Festive Netflix Special Sparks Debate

Meghan Markle’s latest Netflix release aims to deliver a warm, family-focused holiday celebration—but the final product has left viewers split. While the special opens with classic seasonal charm, its polished presentation and extravagant details have prompted both admiration and discomfort among audiences.

A Picturesque Start With Holiday Traditions

The episode begins at a Christmas tree farm, where Markle enthusiastically shares her love for building family traditions. She decorates a tree with precision, explaining the importance of placing ornaments “so they find their light.” She also reveals her approach to filling an Advent calendar with small, meaningful gestures for her children, including handwritten notes of encouragement.

These early moments set a wholesome tone, positioning the special as a celebration of simple joys and family connection.

Extravagant Crafting Raises Eyebrows

The tone shifts as Markle introduces more elaborate holiday projects—hand-painted cookies, wax-sealed gifts, and meticulously curated décor. While intended to inspire creativity, the segment has led some viewers to question whether the production’s polished aesthetic overshadows the authenticity of traditional holiday rituals.

The contrast between heartfelt intention and high-end execution becomes a recurring theme throughout the special.

Guests Bring Warmth—and Unexpected Tension

Restaurateur Will Guidara joins Markle for a conversation about the meaning of holiday connection. Their exchange becomes a spirited back-and-forth, with Guidara briefly outshining Markle in articulating the emotional core of the season. The moment underscores the tension between genuine sentiment and the show’s glossy presentation.

Markle later reconnects with friends Kelly and Lindsay, sharing old photos and crafting Christmas wreaths. Her curiosity about how each wreath will differ adds a quirky, if slightly awkward, touch to the gathering.

Naomi Osaka Offers a Refreshing Contrast

Tennis star Naomi Osaka’s appearance introduces a grounded, relatable energy. Speaking candidly about the challenges of motherhood and finding joy amid chaos, Osaka’s sincerity stands in stark contrast to the special’s more curated moments. Many viewers have praised her segment as the emotional anchor of the episode.

Prince Harry’s Cameo Adds Humor

Chef Tom Colicchio appears in a later segment, followed by a surprise drop-in from Prince Harry. His playful reluctance to try the chefs’ traditional dishes adds levity and relatability, offering a glimpse of holiday dinners that don’t always align with personal tastes.

A Festive Special That Leaves Viewers Divided

Despite its intention to spread warmth, the special’s heightened enthusiasm and polished aesthetic leave some viewers feeling disconnected. The episode closes on a note of relief for those overwhelmed by the extravagance, while others remain curious to see how Markle evolves her holiday storytelling in future installments.

What Happens Next?

Netflix has not yet announced additional holiday specials, but Markle’s growing slate of lifestyle and entertainment projects suggests more seasonal content could be on the horizon. Whether future episodes lean into authenticity or continue the glossy approach remains to be seen.