Top 5 takeaways from Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s new Netflix holiday special

This image released by Netflix shows Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a scene from her holiday special "With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration." (Jake Rosenberg/Netflix via AP)

Afua Hagan is a contributor to CTVNews.ca, focusing on the Royal Family. Based in London and Accra, Hagan is a regular commentator on the royals across a variety of international outlets, and is a leading voice on diversity in Britain.

With the release of With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, the Duchess of Sussex invites viewers into a world of warmth, festive cheer, and thoughtful family traditions.

The special marks another step in Meghan’s evolution from working royal to global media creator, and it has fans of cozy Christmas decor, lifestyle TV and royal watchers alike locked in.

This is a time for Meghan to recast herself as hostess, mother, friend, and creative curator. Unlike some of the more dramatic royal content of recent years, Meghan’s holiday special is intentionally gentle. What emerges is a curious mix: at once heartfelt and curated, down-to-earth and beautifully staged. Here are the top five takeaways from a program that is as much about storytelling and identity as it is about Christmas.

Heartfelt blend of British royal tradition and California ease

A charming part of the special is how Meghan brings together Christmas customs from her Royal Family days, like creating and pulling Christmas crackers.

This festive British tradition gets a personal touch from Meghan, who makes handmade crackers designed just for Harry and the children. She includes a sweet note and some chocolate for Harry.

In his cracker, red to match his fun and energetic personality, Archie gets a tiny toy burger and fries. Lilibet is given a lavender oil in a tube with a rollerball that she can apply on her skin because she “loves feeling grown-up.”

These little moments show a family blending cherished traditions with fresh heartfelt memories. It also gives us more of an insight into the Sussex kids, who we are gradually seeing more of on social media. Meghan embraces her royal past instead of stepping away from it. She brings tradition into her life in California and gives it a new perspective showing that identities can mix rather than be left behind.

Confident step forward for Meghan’s creative vision

The holiday special mixes lifestyle tips, festive how-tos – like how to make a homemade wreath, decorating cookies with almond oil and food colouring and some inventive ways to gift wrap difficult presents like a teddy bear that ended up in cracker-like wrapping.

It highlights Meghan as someone growing more at ease with controlling her own media story. Sure, it looks lovely, but it is also practical. Meghan cooks, decorates, and creates things in ways that feel genuine and thoughtful.

She sits down with tennis player Naomi Osaka to decorate plates and mugs for the kids to put out for snacks for Santa Claus.

She also talks about the different types of decorations on her tree, and her tips for putting lights deep in the branches and around the baubles so the light catches them.

The show connects to her lifestyle brand, using her honey and pear syrup that potentially could be added to the As Ever range but it also shows her talent as a storyteller who loves hosting and creating inviting and beautiful spaces. While earlier Sussex projects leaned into controversy, this one feels more grounded. It aims to inspire people instead of reacting to events. The vibe is softer, the expectations are calmer, but the overall impact stands out in a subtle yet strong way. Meghan is carving out a space that fits her – a blend of wellness, culture, and creativity.

Portrait of family life that feels authentic and fun

People watching to get a glimpse of Harry will get what they’re looking for. His brief appearance showing his playful and charming side, is a nice reminder that there’s a real family behind all the news and constant talk about them.

The jokes about how spicy the food is, the laughter while cooking, and the sweet moments and kisses they share make Meghan and Harry seem more real than any serious interview could. There is genuine chemistry between them, and these moments were clearly included to show a couple supportive of one another, and who are happy and in love. Will it calm the almost constant rumours of a Sussex divorce? Probably not…

Celebration of connection – not just curation

People who criticized Meghan’s earlier projects often said they felt too polished. But this time, the attention shifts away from appearances and moves toward building a sense of community. The moments when Meghan spends time with her friends cooking, decorating, and crafting create a warm and shared energy.

They show how valuable chosen family can be – the people who make our lives more meaningful without needing formal ties.

The special also stands out because it emphasizes blending cultures, with Southern cooking mixing with California health trends and British traditions combining with American creativity. Their Christmas consists of Meghan’s mum Doria’s gumbo on Christmas Eve and the very British tradition of Christmas crackers just before Christmas dinner. Many people; women, parents, and families of mixed cultural backgrounds, might connect to these parts of the story. Life becomes fuller when traditions aren’t fixed but adapted, shared, and brought to life in new ways. Meghan embraces this idea in a thoughtful and lovely way.

Softer, more hopeful kind of influence

What makes With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration stand out is its emotional honesty. This isn’t a tell-all about royalty or a flashy celebrity reveal. It focuses on themes like kindness, gratitude, and joy, which go beyond fame or drama. In a world where the media thrives on conflict, Meghan’s special feels more peaceful and soothing.

It shows that having influence doesn’t need to be bold or tied to politics. Sometimes, it’s found in simple thoughtful acts that bring people together, like sharing meals creating traditions, or being intentional.

To Meghan, this is another move to shape her identity after stepping away from her royal life. She is not speaking on behalf of an institution anymore or trying to justify her past. Instead, she is sharing the life she is creating.

This change feels important to viewers who have kept up with her story. It points to moving forward. It hints at progress. Maybe Meghan’s most interesting story is not about what she walked away from but about what she is deciding to create.

Meghan’s new holiday special arrives at a time when audiences are craving comfort and hope. It delivers both, offering a window into a home where tradition is cherished and creativity is encouraged. It may not convert every skeptic, but it will certainly warm many hearts. And ultimately, for a holiday program, what higher purpose could there be?

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