A royal expert has revealed what he describes as a 'secret battle' by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex to emulate the public magic of Catherine, Princess of Wales, following the release of their contrasting festive projects. The analysis comes with a grim prediction for the future of Meghan and Prince Harry's Netflix deal.
Festive Face-Off: Streaming Special vs. Star-Studded Service
The Christmas season saw both women launch high-profile initiatives. On December 6, 2025, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams highlighted the stark differences between Meghan's Netflix holiday episode and Kate's annual carol concert.
Meghan's festive instalment of 'Meghan, With Love' aired just days before Kate hosted her 'Together at Christmas' service at Westminster Abbey. Fitzwilliams told the Mirror the events "could not have been more different." He criticised Meghan's show, stating, "She displayed almost relentless positivity, which actually becomes weary to watch. It seems that she’d like to be a sort of Californian Mary Poppins... therefore her show just does not have the same level of substance as Kate’s carol concert."
The Duchess's special featured cooking, DIY wreath-making, a cameo from Prince Harry, and appearances from friends like tennis star Naomi Osaka and restaurateur Will Guidara. While it reached Netflix's UK Top 10, it faced harsh criticism from some British newspapers, with reviews calling it "bizarre" and "quite mad and a little bit sad."
Netflix Future in Jeopardy Amid 'Downgraded Deal'
Fitzwilliams suspects the holiday special may be the last episode of the 'With Love' series. He pointed to the couple's "downgraded Netflix deal" and argued Meghan needed a "big name" guest to make a significant impact.
"While Naomi Osaka is very big in her field, there will be many people who didn’t know who she was," he said. "So if viewers are Googling the names of her guests, it’s not looking particularly good for their future with Netflix." He concluded that the Sussexes must "bring something big to the table" to retain the streaming giant's support.
The expert also addressed the unfortunate timing of the episode's release. It aired as Meghan's 81-year-old father, Thomas Markle Sr., was reported to be 'fighting for his life' in intensive care in the Philippines after emergency surgery and a leg amputation. Fitzwilliams noted the "decidedly dysfunctional" contrast of Meghan discussing love and family while her father was gravely ill.
A Lingering Rivalry and Diary Clashes
Fitzwilliams claims a widespread belief persists that Meghan, 44, still feels rivalry with Kate, 43, tracing back to their time as the "Fab Four" with Princes William and Harry. He cited a pattern of diary clashes, including the Megxit announcement on the eve of Kate's 38th birthday in 2020 and the release of Harry's memoir 'Spare' during a royal tour by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
"If we look at the timings of many of the things the Sussexes have done, there is often a clash with William and Kate," he stated, referencing Prince Harry's recent visit to Canada coinciding with William's Earthshot trip. He added that despite Harry's reported offer to share diaries to avoid conflicts, nothing appears to have changed.
Kate's carol concert, in contrast, featured readings by Prince William and actress Kate Winslet, with performances by singers Katie Melua and Griff. In a personal letter to guests, the Princess of Wales spoke of Christmas as a time that "speaks of love taking form in the simplest most human ways."
Ultimately, Fitzwilliams believes Meghan's attempt to capture a similar resonance has fallen short. "Meghan is secretly battling to emulate some of the magic that Kate clearly creates, but it is not working," he said, forecasting a need for the Sussexes to carefully reconsider their next strategic move.
