The Duke of Sussex has made a surprise appearance in a new trailer for his wife's upcoming Christmas special, creating a buzz amongst royal watchers and streaming audiences alike.
A Royal Cameo in the Kitchen
In the 65-second clip posted to the Duchess of Sussex's Instagram on Wednesday, Prince Harry shares a brief, affectionate moment with Meghan in a kitchen. This marks the Duke's first appearance in her Netflix programme, With Love, Meghan, though he has not been featured in the main series episodes released so far.
Meghan's voiceover sets the festive tone, stating, "I love the holiday season. It's about finding time to connect with the people we love, embracing traditions, and making new ones." The trailer was shared the same evening the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Royal Variety Performance.
Festive Fun with Celebrity Friends
The Christmas special, scheduled for release on December 3, will see the Duchess engaging in various holiday activities. She is joined by a roster of famous friends, including Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka for crafts, American chef Tom Colicchio for cooking, and old friends Kelly Zafjen and Lindsay Roth for wreath-making.
Viewers get a glimpse of the Sussexes' family life, with Meghan seen personalising red-and-white advent calendars with the names "Archie" and "Lili" for her two children, six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet. The trailer also features Meghan skipping through a Christmas tree farm, making her own Christmas crackers, and leaving out biscuits and hot chocolate by a fireplace.
"Being a hostess or a host, it's about making people feel comfortable," Meghan remarks during the clip.
Netflix Deal and Brand Promotion
The launch of this festive episode coincides with a significant royal engagement. King Charles III is set to host a state visit by the president of Germany between December 3 and 5.
This new content comes as part of the Sussexes' lucrative multi-year deal with Netflix, initially secured in 2020 for a sum thought to exceed £74 million. In August, they announced a new "multi-year, first-look deal for film and television projects" with the streaming giant, which Meghan described as "an incredible sign of the strength of our partnership."
The show also continues to serve as a platform for Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever. The trailer concludes with an invitation to "discover more holiday cheer, shop As Ever," directing viewers to the brand's website. The new festive range includes items like a £12 mulling spice kit and a £32 gift box of spreads.
The main series of With Love, Meghan, which features the Duchess offering hosting tips while cooking with celebrity friends, first launched in March and was met with harsh criticism from reviewers. A second series was released in August.
