Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, steps into the spotlight with her latest project, a cooking and lifestyle series available on Netflix. Consisting of eight episodes, the show is part of Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, which she launched in February 2022. Filmed in Montecito, where Meghan lives with her husband Prince Harry, the series offers viewers an intimate glimpse into her personal passions for cooking, gardening, and hosting.
The series represents a significant milestone for Meghan, marking her most independent and public venture since stepping away from royal duties in 2020. Serving as an executive producer, Meghan crafts a narrative that focuses on her personal life and interests, steering clear of her royal connections. The show unfolds in a nearby rental property, ensuring her family's privacy by not filming inside their home.
Throughout the series, Meghan engages with various guests, including chefs, makeup artists, and skincare entrepreneurs. These candid conversations delve into shared passions and interests, offering viewers insightful discussions. The series also features moments of culinary delight as Meghan hosts meals and gatherings such as brunches with friends and game nights.
In the final episode, Prince Harry makes a brief appearance, joining Meghan and their friends at a brunch. However, Meghan maintains a boundary regarding her family life; while she frequently references being a mom, the faces of her children are not shown.
"We're a close-knit family, and I love those moments — putting Lili down for a nap, having lunch together, having sacred time together at the end of the day. Our kitchen is where Mama just cooks for the family, and with a crew of 80-plus people, that's a lot of people to have in your house." – Meghan
The series reflects Meghan's return to sharing aspects of her life publicly—a practice she embraced before marrying Prince Harry in 2018 through her Instagram and lifestyle blog, The Tig. The show captures her journey as a working mom and highlights the joys and challenges she encounters along the way.
"Being able to have my own little girl, as I've spent so much of my life championing the rights of girls and women, and to be able to see this as a multigenerational story — Archie is of course included in that, my husband is of course included in that — but I love the heritage feeling of it and knowing this is something that I can create in front of my daughter and teach her what it's like to be a working mom." – Meghan
Meghan's reflections on motherhood resonate throughout the series. She shares anecdotes about balancing family life with her career ambitions, creating a relatable narrative for many viewers.
"When you've had kids, you're used to balancing things on your hip." – Meghan
"When I'm cooking bacon, my kitchen very immediately becomes full of [my] husband and three dogs." – Meghan
The show not only explores Meghan's culinary skills but also celebrates the joy she finds in spending quality time with her family. Her ability to juggle multiple roles—mother, wife, professional—emerges as a central theme.
"When your children get to a certain age — when you're not just playing in the sandbox with them but almost playing in your own sandbox again — it's super joyful." – Meghan
"As a woman, a mom and a wife, to be able to find yourself again — in a way that was always present but that you maybe couldn't put as much attention on as you now can when your kids are a little bit older — is a wonderful feeling." – Meghan
