Royal fans accuse Meghan Markle of ‘copying’ Kate with ‘festive’ new Netflix announcement

Royal fans have accused Meghan Markle of ‘copying’ the Princess of Wales after it was revealed the second season of the Duchess’s ‘With Love, Meghan’ lifestyle show will include a Christmas special.

Fans have compared it to the festive productions created by Kate Middleton, 43. These include her 2019 collaboration with Mary Berry on a seasonal cookery programme, and her annual carol service, titled Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, which is typically broadcast on ITV1 on December 24.

Yesterday, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a new ‘multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects’ with Netflix, which has been described as a downgrade on their previous contract with the streamer.

The couple’s new output is slated to include a second season of the Duchess’s lifestyle show released later this month, as well as a Christmas special titled With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, in December. 

Fans have criticised the news, accusing the Suits actress, 44, of ‘copying’ Kate by releasing a Christmas episode.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter) one said: ‘Anything to compete with Catherine. A December holiday special, really?’  

A second lamented: ‘A Christmas special?! Good grief, is there NOTHING Meghan won’t attempt to do better than Catherine, Princess of Wales – and fail MISERABLY at? Just when I thought we would take up a Netflix subscription again.’

Other fans feared the two productions could have clashing release dates. A third wrote: ‘Meghan’s “Christmas Special” may clash with the Princess of Wales ‘Together at Christmas’ concert?! Oh I am in no doubts that Meghan would push for that date specifically!’

‘So Just like Princess Catherine’s Holiday special then! The difference is Megan has no Royals or family attending hers!’ another commented.

‘What is sad certain accounts on here will promote it if it lands on the same day as Catherine’s Christmas special and give her free publicity instead of ignoring Meghan.’ 

In 2024, Kate held her fourth festive concert at Westminster Abbey, delighting fans with her appearance after enduring what she described as ‘probably the hardest year of my life’. 

The Princess attended the concert on December 6 alongside her husband, Prince William, 43, and three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven.

Fans will also likely be referencing Kate’s ‘s 2019 Christmas show, a BBC show featuring baking legend Mary Berry titled A Berry Royal Christmas special.

Unlike Meghan’s latest venture, the production was a charitable project featuring the Princess and Prince William joining forces with the former Great British Bake Off star to volunteer with local communities to prepare festive food over the Christmas period.

The programme was warmly received at the time. It included various cooking confessions from Kate, who said she loves to bake and that she grows her own vegetables.

Announcing the news of the extended creative partnership yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said the second season of their show would include ‘a new special holiday episode’. 

Yesterday, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a new ‘multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects’ with Netflix – a downgrade on their previous contract

The festive programme was warmly received at the time. It included various cooking confessions from Kate, who said she loves to bake and that she grows her own vegetables.

In 2024, Kate held her fourth festive concert at Westminster Abbey, delighting fans with her appearance after enduring what she described as ‘probably the hardest year of my life’ (pictured last year with Prince Louis)

Their statement read: ‘This December, join Meghan in Montecito for a magical holiday celebration,’ referencing the California town where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live with their two children.

The new arrangement is a first-look deal, meaning Netflix can say yes or no to new film or TV projects before anyone else. 

One of the projects the Sussexes are working on Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within – a documentary about orphaned children in Uganda, where the ‘shadows of the HIV/Aids crisis linger’.

There is also ‘active development’ on other projects with Netflix which ‘span a variety of content genres’, including an adaptation of romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake.

Netflix has already released the first series of With Love, Meghan as well as Polo, Heart of Invictus, Live to Lead and the couple’s bombshell documentary Harry & Meghan as well as being a business partner on Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever. 

Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract thought to be worth $100million (£74million) with Netflix after quitting as senior working royals in 2020. 

The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes – who made the announcement with Netflix – as ‘extending their creative partnership’ through Archewell Productions.

But the new terms are understood to be worth less for Harry and Meghan than their previous contract, according to a person familiar with the deal, and they represent Netflix loosening its ties with the couple. 

Pictured: Prince Harry and Meghan at the ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in July 2024

Leading publicist Mark Borkowski told the Daily Mail: ‘They have shot the golden goose of 2020 – more of a “we’ll call you” than “here’s the chequebook”. 

‘It’s a first-look deal, which means Netflix gets first dibs but no obligation to bankroll every semi-royal whim. I reckon Netflix is trimming fat industry-wide, so this is less carte blanche, more curated cameo.

‘They’re still in business together – Meghan’s. As ever brand and seasonal specials keep them in the Netflix shop window but make no mistake, this is a slimmed-down sequel to the blockbuster original. So Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix chapter [is] less champagne budget, more Prosecco by the glass.’ 

Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in December 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views, making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days and reaching the English Top 10 TV list in 85 countries.

But With Love, Meghan failed to break into Netflix’s top ten programmes – or even the top 300, as it ranked at number 383 in 2025 so far for the streaming giant with just 5.3million viewers across the globe since it was first broadcast in March.

However, the Duchess said today: ‘We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As ever brand. 

‘My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision.’

Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, said: ‘Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.

The Netflix series With Love, Meghan is the most recent television release by the Sussexes (pictured)

Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views, making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days 

‘The response to their work speaks for itself – Harry & Meghan gave viewers an intimate look into their lives and quickly became one of our most-watched documentary series. More recently, fans have been inspired by With Love, Meghan, with products from the new As ever line consistently selling out in record time.

‘We’re excited to continue our partnership with Archewell Productions and to entertain our members together.’

Brand and culture expert Nick Ede said: ‘[Netflix] know that with Meghan and Harry there will always be interest and they won’t want to lose them to a rival streamer so this is a good way of keeping them as part of the Netflix family but not spending as much as they did previously, when only two of the content that was created were real winners for the streamer.’ 

Mr Ede added: ‘I think that Polo and Heart of Invictus were pretty niche shows and didn’t rate well. They have probably seen the slate that archewell has created for their future productions and pitches are interesting and may be developed more for the streaming service.’ 

As Ever is Meghan’s lifestyle brand which also sells cookie mix, herb tea, flower sprinkles and jams – and launched a new Napa Valley rosé wine last Friday.

In March the Duchess launched her new podcast series ‘Confessions Of A Female Founder’ with Lemonada Media, which included an interview with Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles.

Meghan’s Archetypes series about female stereotypes in 2022 ran for just one series, and was part of the Sussexes’ previous multi-million-pound deal with Spotify, which ended the year after.

Last month a Netflix source claimed Harry and Meghan’s hopes of a new Netflix deal were ‘dead’ after Polo and With Love, Meghan both flopped in the ratings. 

The insider was quoted as saying: ‘This deal is dead. She had everything going for her – name, platform, press – and the numbers were dismal. They’re just waiting for the credits to roll. They’re letting it expire without drama. There’s no appetite for anything new.’