Meghan Markle is facing fresh accusations of copying the Princess of Wales following the announcement of a new Netflix deal. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed a multi-year first-look agreement with the streaming giant last week, which includes a festive edition of Meghan's show With Love, described as a magical holiday celebration in Montecito.
Royal watchers have been quick to compare the project to Kate's annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, an event that has become a key part of the royal festive calendar. Kinsey Schofield, a US-based royal expert and podcaster, suggested that the Sussexes have a pattern of choosing moments that risk overshadowing other royal occasions, and Christmas may be no exception.
Schofield noted that Meghan's Christmas special feels more like a branding opportunity, with product launches from her lifestyle line As Ever timed to coincide with the release. In contrast, she described Kate's carol concert as authentic and meaningful, centred on unity, love, and hope, while Meghan's risks seeming transactional.
The new deal comes five years after the Sussexes signed a reported $100 million contract with Netflix. However, the terms have changed: the first-look arrangement gives Netflix the right to first refusal on projects but does not commit to funding them. Talent manager Dermot McNamara described this as a reality check for the couple, reflecting tighter budgets in the entertainment industry.
Previous Sussex projects, including Harry's polo documentary and Meghan's With Love series, have not been major successes. The couple has also faced criticism for timing announcements that coincide with royal events, such as the release of Harry's memoir Spare during the King and Queen's tour of Australia.
