Meghan Markle Faces Harsh Reality Check as Royal Expert Dismisses Her Netflix Cooking Show

Royal Family
Pete Hutton
February 26, 2025
8 minutes read

Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images

Meghan Markle is facing fresh criticism ahead of the launch of her Netflix cooking show, as royal insiders question her expertise and compare her career trajectory to that of her husband, Prince Harry. The Duchess of Sussex is set to premiere With Love, Meghan in March, a lifestyle and cooking series that marks her latest attempt to establish herself in the entertainment industry.

However, former royal butler Paul Burrell has cast doubt on her credentials, suggesting that her acting skills—not culinary expertise—will be what carries the show. Speaking on behalf of Prime Casino, Burrell remarked: “I think she’ll be judged by that, but let’s not forget, she’s an actress. She can act in this role, but she can fall back on those acting skills.”

Burrell, a longtime royal insider, argued that Markle lacks the lifestyle and homemaking credibility of figures like Martha Stewart, making her entry into the highly competitive American food and lifestyle market even more challenging.

“America is filled with the best hosts you can possibly have,” he said, warning that Meghan faces an uphill battle in the crowded industry. He also suggested that Meghan may be relying on behind-the-scenes guidance, stating: “I believe there is somebody behind her who feeds her the lines as an actress would expect.”

Harry and Meghan Colombia Visit — (Photo Credit by Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)

Burrell predicted that With Love, Meghan will quickly become more about Markle herself than about cooking, saying: “The cooking show will turn into ‘The Meghan Show.'” He also highlighted the ongoing public contrast between Markle and Prince Harry, who has already taken a more personal approach to his career with his memoir Spare and documentaries about his life and military service.

“She will have to reveal her hand in this game of poker because Harry’s already revealed his. We haven’t yet seen Meghan’s,” Burrell stated, implying that Markle’s true ambitions and future career path remain unclear.

Despite the skepticism, Burrell admitted he is curious to see how Meghan’s new project unfolds. “I’m eager to watch it and to see what she’s going to produce,” he said. With With Love, Meghan set to debut in just weeks, all eyes will be on the Duchess to see if she can carve out a niche in the competitive lifestyle market—or if critics’ concerns prove to be true.