The Duchess of Sussex has set the internet abuzz with the debut trailer for her upcoming Netflix Christmas special, but it's one specific appearance that has truly captured public attention. In a strategic shift, Meghan Markle has featured her husband, Prince Harry, prominently in the festive preview, a move experts are calling a calculated play to boost viewer interest.
Harry's Surprise Kitchen Cameo
The glossy trailer, released last Wednesday, offers a first look at the December special, which sees Meghan engaging in holiday cooking, crafting, and decorating. However, the standout moment for many viewers is the rare on-screen appearance of the Duke of Sussex. Prince Harry, who was largely absent from the first two seasons of With Love, Meghan, is shown in a domestic scene with his wife.
The couple shares a quick, affectionate kiss in the kitchen, with Harry seen tasting food before the moment of PDA. This marks a significant departure from his previous minimal involvement in the series, which has faced criticism from reviewers in the past.
Expert Analysis: A Strategic Power Play?
According to royal editor Rebecca English, this decision is far from accidental. Speaking on the Daily Mail's Palace Confidential podcast, she suggested that Meghan is 'bringing out the big guns' to counter the show's previous performance. 'The previous two series have been critically mauled,' English stated, highlighting that while the first series attracted viewers out of curiosity, the second 'fell pretty flat.'
This analysis points to a deliberate strategy to leverage Prince Harry's global profile to reinvigorate interest in the content, which is part of the couple's renegotiated deal with Netflix.
Body Language Tells a Different Story
Despite the seemingly romantic trailer moment, body language expert Judi James has identified signs of potential discomfort in the Duke. She described Harry as looking like a 'very self-conscious fish out of water' as he holds a small bowl aloft. James intriguingly connected his appearance to a notable royal absence, asking: 'Has he been invited to stir the pudding at last, having missed out on the four generational royal pudding stirring event?'
This references the 2019 event where Prince William and Prince George joined the late Queen and King Charles III for a Christmas pudding session, from which Harry was absent just a year before the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties.
James noted that Meghan's kiss appears to be a 'reward' for his participation, suggesting a dynamic where she is the confident lead in this celebrity-focused venture. This observation aligns with previous commentary from Jennie Bond, the BBC's former royal correspondent, who noted that Harry seems 'not especially comfortable' in the LA celebrity world, preferring a life of service and charity work.
The special, set for release on the 3rd of December, also features Meghan discussing creating traditions with her children, Archie and Lilibet, hinting at a more personal glimpse into the Sussex family's holiday preparations.
