'With Love, Meghan' season 2 celebrates family life and aspirational cooking

"With Love, Meghan" is back for its second season, premiering on Netflix on August 29. The series, filmed near the Duchess of Sussex's home in Montecito, features celebrity friends like Chrissy Teigen and John Legend as guests, giving viewers a glimpse into Meghan's family life, although Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet, do not appear.

In one episode, Meghan shares her morning routine, revealing she often makes hot breakfasts for her family. She explains, "It's not as complicated as people think it is... you're just slicing bread, you're dunking it in some eggs." She enjoys making surprise pancakes with healthy ingredients, describing breakfast as a "sacred time as a family."

The series aims to be aspirational and optimistic, focusing on cooking, gardening, and hosting tips, with personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout. Meghan reflects on her past as an aspiring actress, sharing how nerves affected her during auditions and how she celebrated successful ones with a McDonald's apple pie. She recalls knowing she loved Harry by their third date in Botswana when he said, "I love you" first.

While the series showcases their lifestyle, it notably avoids mentioning the royal family or any family rifts. Meghan emphasizes her desire to protect her children's privacy, and there are no references to their previous lives as working royals. She does share what she misses most about the UK: Magic Radio, humorously acknowledging its reputation.

Despite being the tenth most-watched Netflix program globally in its first week, the first season received mixed reviews, with a rating of 32% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have described it as a "gormless lifestyle filler" and an "exercise in narcissism," while others view it as a form of escapism.

The show coincides with Meghan's efforts to build her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder. Recently, she and Harry signed a new multi-year deal with Netflix, indicating their continued partnership with the streaming platform.

Royal expert Victoria Murphy highlighted the importance of the show for Meghan's public image, stating it reflects how she wants to be perceived moving forward. Reactions to the new season are likely to be divided: fans will enjoy it, while critics may remain skeptical.