‘Pretentious’: Royal chef slams Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show, calls it ‘cheap TV’
A royal Irish chef who once “cooked for the Queen” has given a sharp critique of Meghan Markle’s latest eight-part Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.
Michelin-starred Richard Corrigan, who runs two Mayfair establishments and has cooked for the Royal Family, shared his dislike for the series while attending the Murphia List 2025 event in London, while noting a key cultural difference between California and the UK.
“I admit I watched With Love, Meghan – it’s a bit pretentious. I don’t like the pretence. California is all very Hollywood, it’s all very samey – Britain is not like that,” Richard told the Daily Mail.
“I don’t think anyone likes people doing cheap TV. If you’re going to leave [royal life], buy yourself a nice pad, entertain and enjoy yourself, but don’t become a burden,” he added.
He drew parallels between the Sussexes and the historical case of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII (Queen Elizabeth II’s uncle), who abdicated in 1936 for marriage, according to Gloucestershire Live.
The Irish-born Corrigan sympathised with King Charles’s stating that: “You can never be responsible for who your children marry, and you shouldn’t be — they have to make their way in the world,” he said.
“The royals are a nice bunch — we all have odd ones in the family,” he added.
Richard’s remarks followed those of Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan, a longtime supporter of Meghan Markle, who described the duchess as appearing “manicured and very forced” in the series.
According to the New York Post, Ryan, the “Glitter Room” performer and once a strong defender of Meghan Markle, has reconsidered her stance after watching the former “Suits” star’s new culinary show.
“I liked Meghan Markle. I was rooting for Meghan Markle… though she is very Hollywood – even for me – and I don’t like that in people,” she shared on her “Telling Everybody Everything” podcast.
“I see now, and maybe it’s just the projects she’s choosing, it does feel like she has lied about whether she knew who Prince Harry was, and these details about her childhood change and don’t add up,” she added.
With Love, Meghan is the latest project from the Sussexes’ reported $100 million Netflix deal, but it has faced widespread criticism from both critics and fans. However, some reviewers praised it as an “amazingly refreshing show that had tons of good recipes and light-hearted banter”.
The series features Meghan sharing recipes, gardening tips, and hosting advice alongside various celebrities at a picturesque California estate.
Despite mixed reviews of her Netflix show, Meghan remains upbeat, celebrating its second-season renewal and sharing the announcement on her Instagram Stories on Friday. The streaming giant confirmed that Season 2, already filmed, will premiere in the autumn.
