Meghan Markle has stepped into an unexpected new role this holiday season: the self-proclaimed ambassador of British Christmas traditions. Her newly released Netflix Christmas special — marketed as a warm, cultural celebration — has instead triggered a swift and intense backlash from viewers across the U.S. and the U.K.
Within hours of its premiere, social media platforms filled with critical comments, memes, and puzzled reactions. Many viewers questioned Meghan’s authority to “teach” Americans about British Christmas customs, pointing out that she lived in the United Kingdom for a relatively short period of time. One critic wrote that she “spent less time in Britain than most tourists who take an extended weekend trip,” while others said the show felt more like a branding exercise than a genuine cultural guide.
Audiences were also confused by several unusual moments in the special, including unexpected hand gestures, curated “rituals” that don’t seem to exist in actual British households, and a gift-giving segment that some felt was oddly out of touch. The contradiction that drew the most attention, however, was Meghan’s emphasis on the importance of reconnecting with family for the holidays — a message that clashed sharply with ongoing reports of estrangement within her own family ties.
Despite the criticism, the special continues to generate massive online discussion, proving once again that anything involving the Duchess of Sussex is guaranteed to dominate the conversation, whether people love it, hate it, or can’t stop debating it.