Meghan Markle's latest venture, the Netflix cookery and lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, has ignited a firestorm of criticism, drawing sharp viewer backlash, death threats, and even accusations of food safety negligence.
Sources close to the Duchess of Sussex revealed to RadarOnline.com that Markle is "devastated and hurt" by the overwhelmingly negative reception of the eight-part series, which premiered last week after being delayed by the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year.
"Meghan was riding high, full of dreams and aspirations, but it seems like the fall was just as swift as the rise. She had truly believed that this show could catapult her to the same heights as Martha Stewart, offering a fresh start for her career and an image overhaul," one insider said. "Now, though, she's feeling entirely crushed, the humiliation still fresh."
However, the backlash has been intense. Markle's insistence on being addressed as "Mrs. Sussex" and the show's content have been ridiculed by viewers and critics alike, with royal expert Rebecca English stating she "lost the will to live after the episode about making ice cubes" and adding she "couldn't really work out what she was trying to say."
Adding to the controversy, Markle has been subjected to death threats, according to sources. "Some of the stuff on message boards, forums, the dark web and Telegram is really disturbing," one source noted. "The comments she has received are off-the-scale, with some people even wishing her dead for pocketing millions of dollars for such a sham show."
Social media scrutiny also erupted over a particular scene in the series involving the placement of raw chicken. X user @Lillyin_London posted a video pointing out that raw chicken drumsticks were visibly stored on a shelf above lettuce in Markle's refrigerator. "Why has Meghan Markle [got] raw chicken legs in the fridge next to the salad???" the user wrote, sparking a wave of hygiene concerns online.
Critics slammed the scene for poor food safety practices, with one commenter remarking, "Why are they not in a tray? Yuk, all the chicken juices would be running all over that fridge shelf & down the back onto products below. Not great hygiene practices." Another added, "I believe Chef Gordon Ramsey would call that cross contamination."
Further reactions included:
- "Hello salmonella, my old friend."
- "Who puts raw uncovered chicken in the fridge, and not even in a container?!"
- "What a literal sh*tshow."
While some viewers suggested the chicken may have been pre-cooked or parboiled, others argued that such presentation reflects poorly on the show's attention to detail. "Who is on her production team? There are people paid to pay attention to details like this. What a faux pas," one commenter noted.
The uproar over Markle's Netflix series comes just weeks after another setback involving her lifestyle brand. Markle was forced to rename her American Riviera Orchard firm after attorneys at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected her attempt to trademark the term. She subsequently rebranded the business as As Ever, announcing the change via Instagram.
The launch of As Ever has had a slow start, reportedly producing only small batches of jam shared with acquaintances in Montecito. Markle promised broader production in the near future but has yet to confirm partnerships with local producers or food manufacturers.
The twin challenges surrounding her Netflix show and business venture have raised questions about the viability of Markle's post-royal career in the entertainment and lifestyle sectors. As one source close to Markle summed up: "While she was prepared for a little negativity, the overwhelming backlash has left her reeling. To everyone watching, she might appear to be putting on a brave face, especially since her show made it to the top 10 for a few days...but she is also being targeted with death threats online over the show."
