Meghan Markle’s new Netflix lifestyle show, "With Love, Meghan", which recently premiered, didn’t have the outcome she probably hoped for.
But as we know, she hasn’t exactly been a fan favourite and has been dragged for many reasons.
"With Love, Meghan" is a lifestyle series where the Duchess gets real about life, love, and personal growth. She shares her own experiences along with tips on wellness, cooking, and relationships.
While some praised her for the show, others accused her of being a wannabe Martha Stewart.
Another person on the critique seat is her father, who has also voiced his disappointment over his daughter’s latest series, calling it inauthentic and out of touch with reality.
He particularly took issue with her decision to distance herself from the Markle name and her claims about growing up as a “latchkey kid”, according to the Daily Mail".
Thomas, who relocated to the Philippines earlier this year, has not watched the entire show but has seen clips online. Based on what he has seen, he feels Meghan appears overly rehearsed.
“You have to be authentic to hold people's attention,” he said. “Unfortunately, Meghan has never been authentic. She has to think about everything. She's not spontaneous. Everything she says is pre-planned and rehearsed.”
The former Hollywood lighting director also dismissed Meghan’s claims that she grew up eating TV dinners and fast food, insisting that he provided a comfortable life for her.
Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series branded ‘staged’ after she rented out $8 million mansion to film in while trying to show off her authentic lifestyle.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 3, 2025
Markle’s new series ‘With Love, Meghan’ shows the Duchess cooking, gardening, crafting and getting honey from her garden bee… pic.twitter.com/3fgFoF8TFb
“We occasionally ate TV dinners, which family doesn’t? But I was working two jobs, so money was never an issue. We would eat out at least three times a week and order in the rest of the time,” he said.
He recalled frequently taking Meghan to high-end restaurants in Hollywood.
Thomas also criticised Meghan’s cooking style in the show, calling her approach impractical for ordinary viewers.
“Meghan should make affordable food and show people how to stretch their food budget,” he said, pointing out that she frequently uses expensive ingredients like edible flowers and elaborate fruit platters.
“I don’t think most people these days can afford to go out and spend $90 (R1 644) on fruit. She’s out of touch with normal people,” he said.
“Sending kids off to school with edible flowers on their food is silly. Kids don’t like them, and if you put edible flowers in a kid’s lunchbox, they would probably get teased at school.”
Daddy dearest isn’t happy or proud of his daughter in her moment. Thomas has been estranged from Meghan since her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, which he missed due to health issues.
Despite their fallout, he still recalls their last shared meal fondly - a reminder of a relationship that seems far from mending.