The Duchess of Sussex was absent from the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday night (October 30), where her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, lost the Outstanding Lifestyle Programme category to A Different Breed, a documentary series about competitive canine sports.
Earlier this year, With Love, Meghan received a nomination for the award, a decision that surprised many Netflix users, some of whom claimed on social media that the accolade was 'fixed' in her favour. The show was cancelled after two series and a Christmas special, following low viewing figures and a poor reception.
Critics and Viewers React to the Nomination
The programme was widely panned by viewers and critics, and even her producers unfollowed her the day after her contract was terminated. The nomination was therefore seen by some as coming from outside the viewing public.
The winning documentary series, A Different Breed, took home three awards at the ceremony, including Outstanding Lifestyle Program, Outstanding Editing for a Daytime Non-Studio Program and Outstanding Directing for a Daytime Non-Studio Non-Fiction Series.
A Difficult Week for the Sussexes
The Duchess's absence comes during a difficult week of publicity for the Sussexes, following allegations made by her estranged father, Thomas Markle Snr. He is currently being investigated in the Philippines following reports of child abuse images unearthed at his former home. It has since come to light that the Duchess may have been informed about the allegations back in 2018 and has remained silent on the matter since.
Since stepping back from their roles as senior royals, the couple have worked to build relationships with the Hollywood elite, attending charity galas and supporting athletes at sporting events.
Next TV Appearance Announced
The Duchess's next television appearance is set for next year, when she will return as a special guest on Junior MasterChef Australia. This follows her appearance on the adult version of the show earlier this Spring.
The article suggests the Duchess should address the allegations plainly and consider stepping back from her ambitions to return to television, noting that ignoring negative press is causing more harm than good. It concludes that she needs to make tough decisions and follow through, as the ongoing situation is bringing more questions to the forefront.
