Meghan Markle’s highly anticipated Netflix series has finally arrived, and fans were treated to a special moment as her mother, Doria Ragland, made a brief but heartwarming appearance.
The 68-year-old was spotted enjoying a celebratory brunch that Meghan, 43, had lovingly prepared for the final episode of her eight-part cookery series.
Dressed in a chic tan halter-neck top and flowing orange trousers, Doria arrived at the sunlit brunch party, prompting Meghan to exclaim excitedly, “Oh, Mommy’s here!”
As she admired the spread of champagne, mimosas, quiche, bacon, pancakes, and salad, Doria inquired about the greens, to which Meghan proudly responded that they were fresh from her garden.
“It’s lovely. Nice job!” her mother complimented.
Meghan Reminisces About Childhood Food Memories
In episode two of With Love, Meghan, the Duchess takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling the meals of her youth while preparing children’s party food.
Sitting down with actress Mindy Kaling, she shared how she grew up on fast food and TV dinners, a stark contrast to the home-cooked meals she now embraces.
“I was a latchkey kid, so I ate a lot of microwavable meals with those little compartments—do you remember them?” Meghan asked.
Mindy enthusiastically responded, reminiscing about Hungry-Man dinners and the beloved apple crumble compartment.
The conversation shifted to Meghan’s childhood favorites, including Pollo Loco, Taco Bell, and Jack in the Box tacos—staples she fondly recalls enjoying with her mother.
Doria’s Role in Meghan and Harry’s Life
Doria has long been a pillar of support for Meghan and Prince Harry.
She even stayed at Frogmore Cottage for over a month when their son, Archie, was born, as revealed in Harry’s memoir Spare.
Sources close to Doria have described her as Meghan’s “rock” during challenging times, particularly when the Sussexes stepped away from their royal duties.
Her presence at the brunch underscored their close bond.
As Meghan celebrated the final episode, Harry was also seen enjoying the meal, raising a glass alongside Doria in support of his wife.
“Good, right?” Meghan asked him. “Well done,” Harry reassured her. “You did a great job. I love it.”
A Deeper Message: Healing Through Kintsugi
The series isn’t just about cooking—it also explores themes of healing and resilience.
In episode seven, Meghan discusses the Japanese art of Kintsugi with her millionaire neighbor, Vicky Tsai.
The philosophy behind Kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold to highlight its cracks—resonated deeply with Meghan.
“If something is precious and it breaks, it’s not ruined. That fracture actually makes it more beautiful,” Meghan explained.
Vicky echoed the sentiment, saying, “Perfect isn’t beautiful.
Things that have lived, been dropped, and put back together again are more beautiful.”
The conversation, seemingly a nod to Meghan’s personal experiences, reinforced the show’s underlying theme of transformation.
Criticism and the Netflix Gamble
Despite the warm moments shared in With Love, Meghan, the series has faced scrutiny.
Some critics have questioned the authenticity of filming in a rented £5 million Californian farmhouse instead of Meghan’s own Montecito home.
In response, Meghan acknowledged the setting, explaining in episode one that she was preparing everything there before taking it home.
The series is a high-stakes project for the Sussexes.
Their $100 million Netflix deal, signed in 2020, has produced mixed results.
While Harry & Meghan was a massive hit, other projects like Live to Lead and Heart of Invictus struggled to gain traction.
Insiders suggest that With Love, Meghan could be the deciding factor in whether Netflix renews their partnership.
A New Business Venture in the Making
Beyond the series, the show is also seen as a launchpad for Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, which aims to sell items like jams, teas, pet products, and soaps.
Netflix is rolling out brick-and-mortar stores, and Meghan’s products will reportedly be featured in these locations.
Sources say the success of these items could determine the future of her business ambitions.
“This is make or break for Meghan,” an insider told MailOnline.
With Netflix’s retail stores opening in major shopping malls, the Duchess’s strawberry jam and other offerings will even appear on café menus inside these locations.
What’s Next for Meghan and Netflix?
Originally set for a January release but delayed due to the devastating LA wildfires, With Love, Meghan has finally made its debut.
Now, all eyes are on how the show performs.
If it succeeds, it could solidify Meghan’s status as a lifestyle mogul.
If not, it may mark the end of the Sussexes’ Netflix journey.
With the Duchess taking center stage and celebrity friends like Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer making appearances, the series is a bold attempt at rebranding Meghan as a domestic and entrepreneurial force.
Whether audiences embrace it remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—this is a defining moment in Meghan Markle’s post-royal career.