Meghan Markle has officially launched her much-anticipated cooking show, and as expected, it is as meticulously curated as her public persona.
While she promised an intimate, at-home experience, viewers quickly realized that the setting was far from her real home. Instead of filming in the Montecito mansion she shares with Prince Harry and their children, Meghan opted for a rented $5 million estate two miles away—the luxurious Seola Family Estate. With its sprawling avocado and lemon groves and its gated exclusivity, the property is anything but relatable.
The estate boasts eight acres of manicured grounds and a kitchen equipped with a $115,000 Thermador range, a $450 Vitamix blender, and high-end copper pans likely worth more than most people’s monthly rent. It seems Meghan is living out her domestic goddess fantasy in someone else’s extravagant space, creating a stark contrast between the down-to-earth image she aims to project and the reality of her privileged life.
The show includes a cameo from Mindy Kaling, adding to the star-studded appeal. However, the cooking itself feels secondary to the aesthetics. Meghan’s kitchen, with its Pinterest-worthy decor, seems more like a showroom than a functional workspace. The meals, such as crudités and homemade jam, appear staged rather than authentic creations. While references to her children, Archie and Lilibet, are sprinkled throughout, they remain off-camera, further highlighting the orchestrated nature of the production.
Meghan’s approach to cooking is more about crafting an image than making actual meals. The show leans heavily on visuals, with perfectly arranged dishes and an idyllic garden backdrop. Yet, the absence of genuine interaction or unscripted moments makes it feel more like a fantasy than a reflection of real life.
What stands out most is the disconnect between Meghan’s carefully crafted brand and the realities of everyday life. This is a woman who once had access to the royal lifestyle, complete with palaces and privileges. Yet now, she appears to be marketing a version of domesticity that feels hollow and contrived. While other celebrity cooks, like Martha Stewart, built their brands through genuine effort and expertise, Meghan’s attempt seems to rely on borrowed grandeur and curated appearances.
If viewers hoped for a glimpse into Meghan’s real life, they are likely to be disappointed. The show is less about cooking and more about reinforcing her public image—a continuation of the narrative she has carefully constructed over the years. From the rented estate to the staged meals, every detail feels designed to present an idealized version of herself rather than an authentic portrayal.
In the end, Meghan Markle’s cooking show is a glossy, highly produced venture that leaves little room for sincerity. It is a performance, one that underscores her focus on maintaining a picture-perfect image rather than connecting with her audience on a genuine level.
