Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," has become the subject of heated criticism, with viewers accusing the show of plagiarism and a lack of originality.
Marketed as an intimate glimpse into Meghan’s culinary skills and lifestyle, the series features cooking, gardening, and hosting tips from her California estate. However, viewers couldn’t help but notice that much of the content feels oddly familiar, leading skeptics to nickname the show "With Love, Plagiarism."
One segment in the promotional trailer showcases Meghan preparing a "ladybug caprese bruschetta," a dish she presents as playful and creative. But food enthusiasts were quick to point out that the recipe has been widely available on food blogs since 2015, has appeared in U.S. lifestyle magazines, and has even gone viral on TikTok. Critics were left wondering whether this dish was a reflection of Meghan’s culinary expertise or simply the result of browsing Pinterest for trendy ideas. What could have been an opportunity to demonstrate genuine originality instead came across as uninspired borrowing.
The trailer also features Meghan tending to a beehive in a beekeeper suit, a scene that raised further eyebrows. Beekeeping is a well-documented hobby of Princess Kate Middleton, and both King Charles III and Queen Camilla are long-time enthusiasts of the practice. In fact, Buckingham Palace maintains its own beekeeping operation. While beekeeping isn’t exclusively royal, Meghan’s appearance in the suit struck some as an attempt to align herself with the hobby in a way that felt more performative than authentic. For a figure striving to create a unique narrative, such comparisons to royal traditions felt uncomfortably close to imitation.
Adding to the controversy is the apparent similarity between Meghan’s series and "Emma’s Kitchen," a YouTube show that has been sharing recipes from a charming countryside kitchen since 2015. Many viewers pointed out how the concept of inviting friends into a personal kitchen to create and share dishes felt strikingly similar to the long-running YouTube series. It seemed as though Meghan’s production team had overlooked—or ignored—the need to carve out a distinctive niche for the show, leaving the impression that it borrowed heavily from pre-existing content.
The tagline for Meghan’s show, "Create Wonder in Every Moment," has also attracted criticism. The phrase has been a cornerstone of Disney’s marketing campaigns for years, embodying the magic and enchantment associated with their theme parks and resorts. Using such a recognizable tagline in a different context is not only a risky move but also one that could invite legal challenges from Disney, a company known for aggressively defending its intellectual property. With both Meghan and Netflix potentially facing legal scrutiny, the decision to incorporate this phrase into the show feels like a glaring oversight.
Criticism has also extended to Netflix, with many questioning how such clear parallels to existing content and branding were overlooked during production. As a global entertainment giant, Netflix has the resources and experience to identify and address potential intellectual property issues before releasing a show. The fact that these concerns slipped through raises questions about the platform’s vetting process and has sparked doubts about the level of care taken in the show’s development.
The backlash has sparked broader discussions about Meghan’s creative intentions. Was she hoping audiences would overlook the similarities and embrace her as a lifestyle authority? Or was she relying on her royal connection to add an air of credibility to the project? Meghan has often spoken about her desire to break free from traditional royal expectations, yet the execution of her show seems to rely on repackaging familiar ideas rather than presenting bold, original concepts.
As criticism mounts, both Meghan and Netflix find themselves in a precarious position. The shadow of potential lawsuits, coupled with the growing skepticism of viewers, threatens to overshadow the series before it even airs. What could have been an opportunity for Meghan to redefine her public image has instead highlighted the risks of perceived inauthenticity and unoriginality. The show’s initial buzz, rather than sparking excitement, has become a cautionary tale about the importance of fresh ideas in the competitive entertainment landscape.
