Meghan Markle is set to make waves in the culinary world with her latest venture: a Netflix cooking show.
At first glance, this might seem like an exciting project. Who wouldn’t want a peek into the Duchess of Sussex’s California estate, where she promises to share her take on cooking, gardening, and hosting? But upon closer inspection, the concept feels less like a heartfelt passion project and more like a patchwork of borrowed ideas. Let’s start with the trailer, which gives us a glimpse of Meghan’s show. If you’ve seen it, you might notice an eerie sense of déjà vu. That’s because the show’s featured recipes, like her much-touted "Ladybug Caprese Bruschetta," aren’t as original as they might seem.
Sharp-eyed viewers quickly pointed out that this very recipe has been making the rounds on food blogs since 2015. It has also appeared in popular U.S. lifestyle magazines and even on TikTok. So, the burning question arises: Is Meghan’s idea of “creating magic” really just the result of a quick Pinterest scroll? If so, one has to wonder how creative the rest of the show will be.
But the recipe rehash isn’t the only aspect drawing scrutiny. Meghan’s portrayal of herself as a backyard beekeeper has also raised eyebrows. In the trailer, she’s shown tending to a beehive, donning a beekeeper’s suit like a pro. However, royal family enthusiasts couldn’t help but notice that this hobby happens to be a favorite of her sister-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales. Beekeeping is also a passion of King Charles and Queen Camilla, who maintain bee colonies at Buckingham Palace. It’s a cherished royal tradition. Yet Meghan appears to have taken this shared interest and added her own dramatic twist, presenting herself as the "queen of the hive." While it’s not unusual to share hobbies, the optics here feel more like an attempt to one-up her royal relatives rather than a genuine pursuit.
If you think the similarities stop there, think again. Viewers also noticed uncanny parallels between Meghan’s show and "Emma’s Kitchen," a popular YouTube series hosted by Emma Weymouth, the Marchioness of Bath. Emma has been delighting audiences with recipes from her stunning Longleat House kitchen since 2015. Somehow, Meghan’s production team seems to have overlooked this when brainstorming ideas for her show. It’s hard not to question the originality of Meghan’s concept when it so closely mirrors an already established format.
Then there’s the tagline for the show: "Create wonder in every moment." At first glance, it sounds inspiring, but fans of Disney were quick to point out that the phrase has been synonymous with the entertainment giant’s brand for years. Disney has used similar language to evoke the magic of its theme parks, movies, and resorts. The overlap is so striking that it’s almost as if Meghan’s team plucked it straight from Disney’s marketing playbook.
And here’s the catch: Disney isn’t known for taking such things lightly. The company has a long history of aggressively defending its intellectual property, even going so far as to shut down small businesses for using its characters without permission. If Meghan thought borrowing Disney’s signature phrase would go unnoticed, she might be in for a rude awakening. This isn’t just a Meghan problem—Netflix, too, could find itself in hot water for not catching the potential legal and branding issues before greenlighting the show.
At this point, it’s hard not to wonder what Meghan and her team are thinking. The show’s trailer feels like a collection of borrowed elements, from recipes to hobbies to taglines. It gives the impression that Meghan is more focused on emulating others than creating something truly unique. And let’s not forget her penchant for subtly reminding everyone of her royal ties—a recurring theme in much of her public work.
In the end, Meghan’s cooking show seems poised to attract as much criticism as it does attention. Whether it’s the recycled ideas, the questionable tagline, or the potential legal issues with Disney, the project feels more like a misstep than a masterpiece. For someone who has often emphasized the importance of authenticity, Meghan’s latest endeavor raises a pressing question: Does she genuinely believe viewers won’t notice the glaring lack of originality?
One thing’s for sure—if Disney decides to take action, Meghan might learn that “creating wonder” the wrong way comes with serious consequences. It’s a lesson that no one, not even a Duchess, can afford to ignore.
