The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has once again found herself at the center of controversy following the Emmy nomination of her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan. The show, which was canceled after two seasons, has received a nomination for Outstanding Lifestyle Series, prompting mixed reactions from critics and the public.
Emmy Nomination Amidst Criticism
On July 14, 2026, it was announced that With Love, Meghan had been nominated for an Emmy award. The show, which premiered in 2025, features Markle demonstrating lifestyle tips, such as creating a 'fruit rainbow' and making 'reindeer chow' with her signature 'flower sprinkles.' Despite its cancellation by Netflix after two years, the series is now competing for one of television's highest honors.
The nomination came as a shock to many, given the show's poor reception. It holds a 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.2/10 score on IMDb. Critics have described it as self-indulgent and lacking substance.
Reactions from Media Figures
TV presenter Megyn Kelly expressed her surprise on her daytime show, stating, 'It's amazing to me. It's quite possibly the actual worst product to hit television over the past five years, and now she has managed to get an Emmy.' Emmy-winning producer Adam Carolla also weighed in, saying, 'This is why the Oscars are worthless, and nobody watches the Emmys anymore... It becomes a popularity contest or some sort of kitchy club.'
Markle's Media Presence
The Duchess has maintained a high media profile since stepping back from royal duties. In addition to With Love, Meghan, she has appeared in the Oprah Winfrey interview (2021), the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan (2022), and recently made a guest appearance on MasterChef Australia. She also ran the podcast Archetypes. However, her constant media presence has drawn criticism for overshadowing her charitable work.
Impact on the Royal Family
The nomination has been seen by some as an embarrassment to the Royal Family, given Markle's strained relationship with them. The show's cancellation and low ratings have led to questions about the integrity of the Emmy awards. If Markle wins, it could further damage the awards' credibility, according to some commentators.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on October 30, 2026. Whether Markle will attend remains to be seen.
