Meghan Markle Reflects on California Life, Family, and Her Upcoming Netflix Series "With Love, Meghan"
Duchess Meghan is offering a glimpse into her life in California, her family life, and her new Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," in a wide-ranging interview with People magazine. This marks one of the rare in-depth conversations Meghan has given since her explosive Oprah Winfrey interview five years ago, following her and Prince Harry’s decision to step back from their royal duties.
Meghan, 43, reflects on the quieter rhythm of her days with Prince Harry, 40, and their two children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, in their Montecito home. She touches upon her newly launched lifestyle brand, As Ever, and the upcoming Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," set to premiere on Tuesday, both projects reflecting her renewed focus on personal passions and creative endeavors.
A significant aspect of the interview revolves around the couple’s commitment to their family name, Sussex. Meghan emphasizes the emotional weight it carries for her. "It’s our shared name as a family, and I guess I hadn’t recognized how meaningful that would be to me until we had children," she explains. "I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H, and I all have together. It means a lot to me. (It) is part of our love story." The interview coincides with the unveiling of a rare photo of Lilibet, further emphasizing the personal nature of this new chapter.
Since settling in California, Meghan shares how she and Harry are actively building a community for themselves and their children. "It’s a dream," she says, adding, "But I also know that being part of a community means you put effort into it." This involves hosting Archie and Lilibet’s friends and their parents at their home, creating a sense of belonging and normalcy. "Once you know us, I think you want us to have the same normalcy as parents and for our children as they do, despite however unique our situation is."
Meghan also discusses her re-emergence into public life after the intense scrutiny and restrictions she faced during her time as a working royal. She enjoys attending group fitness classes with new friends in her California town, participating in girls’ nights out, and attending Pilates sessions. "I go to classes that sometimes have 40 to 50 people in them and just walk in like, Hi!" she recounts. While she acknowledges the initial discomfort of entering such settings, she expresses her enjoyment of these experiences. "I love it. It’s the best. I had missed it."
The early years of her marriage were marked by relentless tabloid attacks from the U.K. media, culminating in Harry’s legal battles to protect his family. The interview addresses the criticism surrounding her ventures, particularly As Ever, which was initially dubbed American Riviera Orchard before trademark complications arose. Meghan acknowledges the challenges and learning curve associated with building her own brand. "I appreciate everyone who gave me the grace to make mistakes and figure it out and also to be forgiving with myself through that," she states. "It’s a learning curve."
"With Love, Meghan," her Netflix series, is described as a show featuring the Duchess cooking, gardening, and hosting friends, showcasing a more personal and relaxed side of her. Interestingly, Prince Harry’s appearances are limited, with his cameo reserved for the final episode of the season. According to a crew member, this decision was deliberate, allowing the series to be "Meghan’s moment to shine."
Meghan emphasizes that the series is an extension of her pre-royal life, referencing her previous food and wellness blog, The Tig, which she shut down in 2017. "My husband met me when I had The Tig, and I see this spark in his eye when he sees me doing the thing that I was doing when he first met me," she says.
Michael Steed, the series director known for his work on "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," expresses his desire to present a different perspective of Meghan in the series. "Everyone has this one version of her, but she’s just someone who is hustling and working and doing," Steed explains. "I genuinely wanted to create an environment where she could relax, and I know the pressures of what she deals with on a daily basis. I was happy that we created scenes where she could tap into that part of her life."
For Meghan, the new series and lifestyle brand are also an opportunity for her children to see her as a working mother. "I loved that my children were able to watch me working and see the balance of that and understand what Mama does and is working to create and share," she says. "It was really special because up until then, they hadn’t seen me at work."
Beyond her own projects, Meghan shares her and Harry’s current TV viewing habits, which include "Shrinking," "Black Doves," and "White Lotus." She also expresses her excitement for the upcoming "Suits LA," remarking that she loves "that it gets a new breath of fresh air."
Despite reports suggesting otherwise, Meghan confirms that she remains in contact with some of her former "Suits" co-stars, including Abigail Spencer. She fondly remembers her time on the show, noting that she still owns a piece of memorabilia from her first episode. "It’s a time capsule for me – I still have the pencil skirt from the first episode! That’s the one thing I kept," she says.
The interview paints a picture of a woman embracing a new chapter in her life, balancing family, personal passions, and professional endeavors, while navigating the complexities of public life with grace and resilience. Her words show that she is thriving, embracing a California lifestyle, and creating content that reflects her authentic self.
