Comedian Katherine Ryan, who once defended Meghan Markle, has now criticized the Duchess in a striking reversal.
In a candid reflection, she accused Meghan of dishonesty about her past, particularly regarding her knowledge of Prince Harry before their relationship and the inconsistent details of her childhood. Katherine, who previously expressed admiration for Meghan’s confidence and willingness to challenge royal norms, said that while she initially rooted for her, Meghan's carefully curated public image has become increasingly difficult to believe.
Speaking on her podcast Telling Everybody Everything, Katherine recalled how Meghan described her upbringing as modest, citing TV dinners on her new Netflix show. However, this contrasted with earlier interviews where Meghan claimed her family ate farm-fresh meals. Katherine remarked that the Duchess's persona now seems overly manicured and unnatural. Once a strong supporter, she now finds Meghan’s behavior performative and driven by image.
Katherine, known for her Netflix comedy specials Glitter Room and In Trouble, as well as her short-lived sitcom The Duchess, didn’t hold back. She said she’s met many people in Hollywood and doesn’t believe Meghan is a bad person, but suspects she enjoys the spotlight, celebrity connections, and lucrative opportunities. She would prefer Meghan to fully embrace her royal status rather than pretend to be humble and unaffected.
Living in London with her three children and civil partner Bobby Kootstra, Katherine also mocked the overly polished aesthetic of Meghan’s cooking show, particularly her use of decorative flowers. She noted that while some people enjoy hate-watching such content, it’s unclear if that was Netflix's strategy. Katherine questioned whether the platform is deliberately airing controversial material to generate buzz, even if it means alienating former fans like herself.
On Meghan’s choice to change her surname to Sussex, Katherine expressed skepticism, criticizing women who adopt their husband's name without a conversation about equality. She argued that using "Sussex" is less about tradition and more about maintaining the Duchess title and all the prestige that comes with it.
Netflix insiders have acknowledged that Meghan’s new series With Love, Meghan has not performed as well as expected. Data shows it attracted just over half a million viewers in its first five days, significantly fewer than the 2.1 million who tuned into Harry & Meghan in the same timeframe back in 2022. While the new show did find more success in Baltic countries like Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia—especially among viewers aged 45 to 54—it failed to make a strong impression in key markets like the U.S., U.K., and Canada, where it barely made the top 10.
Ultimately, even those who once supported Meghan seem to be reevaluating their stance. The show’s lukewarm reception and Katherine Ryan’s public critique reflect a shift in perception, suggesting that Meghan's brand of polished authenticity may not be resonating as it once did.
