Meghan Markle's fresh challenge as she's slammed over 'copying Kate Middleton' claim
Meghan Markle is facing fresh accusations she's 'copying' her sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, following their new TV deal with Netflix. The Duke of Sussex, 40, and the Duchess of Sussex, 44, announced a new 'first-look' deal last week with the US streaming giant. As well as putting Meghan under fresh scrutiny, experts tell the Mirror that the details are clearly a 'reality check' for the couple.
The deal includes a new festive edition of Meghan's With Love show, where viewers can 'join Meghan in Montecito for a magical holiday celebration'. It didn't take long for some royal watchers to accuse Meghan of trying to steal the festive limelight from Kate, 43, who hosts her own annual Christmas event.
Kinsey Schofield, a podcaster and royal expert in the US, believes, however, that the Sussexes have shown a 'pattern of choosing moments' that risk overshadowing other royal occasions – and Christmas might be no exception. 'It's become so noticeable it was reported recently that Harry had offered to share his schedule with the family as an 'olive branch' to avoid competing in the future,' she says. It comes as Royal couple secretly welcome second baby and reveal tot's adorable name.
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Earlier this year, Harry was accused of 'stealing the limelight' from his father and stepmother when he arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in London just before King Charles and Queen Camilla began their state visit to Italy, which also coincided with their 20th wedding anniversary.
The release of the paperback edition of his explosive memoir Spare also hit the headlines worldwide – just as the King and Queen were touring Australia. Back in 2020, Meghan's team came under fire after a stream of two-week-old photos were published on her Instagram account on the same day as Kate embarked on a UK tour.
And when Harry and Meghan dropped their so-called 'Megxit' bombshell on the eve of Kate's 38th birthday, they were accused of 'overshadowing'. But when it comes to their festive plans, Kinsey suspects that Meghan is unlikely to successfully emulate Kate's feel-good celebration.
The mum-of-three hosts an annual Christmas service at Westminster Abbey, an event which has become one of the biggest and most poignant in the family's festive calendar.
Kinsey, who hosts the To Di For Daily podcast, doubts that Meghan's show will hit the same notes, saying, 'Catherine's carol concert is about unity, love, and hope. Kinsey adds. 'She arrives with her family, with a sense of togetherness and faith.
'In contrast, Meghan's Christmas special feels more like a branding opportunity. She's timed product launches from her lifestyle line, As Ever, to coincide with the release.
'Without the warmth of family or shared tradition, it plays less as a holiday celebration and more as a commercial venture. When placed side by side, Catherine's feels authentic and meaningful, while Meghan's risks seeming transactional.'
The Sussexes' latest TV news comes five years after they signed a deal with Netflix said to be worth upwards of $100m (£74m), shortly after turning their backs on their life as senior working royals.
Their new arrangement – described as a 'multi-year, first-look deal' – means Netflix will pay for the right to get first dibs on the couple's work, but isn't committed to taking it.
Dermot McNamara, a talent manager and PR crisis expert, believes the difference in terms sends out a strong message. 'It's not necessarily a humiliation, but it is a reality check for Meghan and Harry and also a reflection of the ever-changing entertainment world,' he tells us.
'Every network and streamers' belts are tightening. Netflix wants to see sharper ideas and stronger delivery before committing to mega-budgets again. The upside is that this could help Meghan and Harry define what they actually stand for, creatively.'
The pair's productions so far, including Harry's polo documentary and Meghan's With Love series, weren't exactly record-breaking successes, with the latter failing to crack Netflix's list of the 300 most-streamed shows of the year so far.
Dermot also suggests that while Meghan won't take kindly to the 'copying' comments, she will have been fully aware that comparisons would inevitably be made.
'Every broadcaster, charity and celebrity under the sun produces holiday specials. It's a warm, family-friendly format that audiences respond to. That said, Meghan knows the optics. Wanting to be seen in the same aspirational light as Kate isn't the worst strategy, but Meghan's challenge is to make it feel authentic to her own brand, not a re-skin of someone else's.'
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