Meghan’s awkward knife skills branded ‘weird’ by viewers who say she clearly ‘hasn’t cooked much’ – as Michelin-starred chef reveals where she’s going wrong

Fans have been left questioning how much ‘cooking’ the Duchess of Sussex has done – as many have expressed their dismay at her knife skills.

Her lifestyle series ‘With Love, Meghan’ was released worldwide on Tuesday. 

And while the Netflix show aimed to demonstrate the mother-of-two’s recipes – as well as ‘tips and tricks’ for hosting guests – many were left skeptical of the former Suits star’s culinary prowess.

In particular, many viewers were baffled at how the wife of Prince Harry, 43, handled a popular kitchen utensil – a knife.

Taking to X, one shared a snap of the Duchess chopping away at some produce.

‘Why is Meghan Markle holding the knife like that,’ they questioned. ‘This woman hasn’t cooked much has she?’

Backlash started as far back as January, when the trailer for the show first dropped.

One Redditer hit out: ‘So we’re supposed to learn cooking ‘tips and tricks’ from someone who doesn’t even hold a chef’s knife properly?’ 

Taking to X, one shared a snap of the Duchess chopping away at some produce. ‘Why is Meghan Markle holding the knife like that,’ they questioned. ‘This woman hasn’t cooked much has she?’

‘I took an intro cooking class as a teenager and the first thing they taught us was how to hold a knife properly,’ they continued.

‘Bon Appetit, America’s Test Kitchen, LeCordon Bleu etc all have videos or articles dedicated on correct knife handling and not one shows this grip.’

‘Those who really cook have a body language that just says I have a command of the kitchen,’ another agreed. ‘She does not have that vibe.’ 

A third remarked: ‘I didn’t know anyone held a knife this way. It seems counterintuitive. Weird.’

A YouTube video on the Le Cordon Bleu YouTube Channel demonstrates how to properly use a chef’s knife, and the different techniques you can use.

The way Meghan handles hers – with the index finger along the spine – is however branded as ‘not acceptable’. 

‘This is not stable,’ Chef Jon-Paul Hutchins warned. ‘The other problem is, the strength in your arm ends up stressing the tendons in the back of your hand.

‘So when you’re cutting initially, it won’t hurt. But when you’re doing it for hours, all of the sudden you’re going to notice a lot of wrist fatigue.’

Speaking to FEMAIL, Michelin star chef Tom Shepherd – who is the founder of Two Fold Spirits – admitted the Duchess’s knife skills ‘leave a lot to be desired’. 

‘In the clips, she holds the knife awkwardly, with her fingers too far back on the handle,’ he revealed.

‘This reduces control and makes cutting both less precise and more difficult. She also appears to be using the wrong type of knife for the task, which can make the process inefficient and even dangerous.

‘A proper grip is key – placing the thumb and index finger on the blade near the handle (a pinch grip) offers much better control.

‘Choosing the right knife is also crucial; a chef’s knife is best for chopping, slicing, and dicing, while a paring knife is better for smaller, delicate tasks. Instead of lifting the knife completely off the board, she should use a smooth rocking motion to cut evenly and efficiently.’

However, it seems to be a common problem among the stars. 

‘With Love, Meghan’ lands on Netflix on Tuesday morning and is aimed at showing a new side to the Duchess of Sussex

Speaking to FEMAIL, Michelin star chef Tom Shepherd – who is the founder of Two Fold Spirits – admitted the Duchess’s knife skills ‘leave a lot to be desired’

‘Kendall Jenner’s infamous cucumber-cutting technique is a masterclass in how not to handle a knife. It’s actually quite scary!’ Tom remarked. 

‘She awkwardly crosses her arms and holds the cucumber at an unnatural angle, which not only looks ridiculous but also makes the process unsafe and inefficient. Her grip on the knife is far too loose, and her hand placement doesn’t give her any real control over the blade.’

Tom explained that the key to safe and effective chopping is ‘keeping it simple’, holding the food steady with a proper ‘claw grip’ to keep fingers tucked away. 

‘Crossing her arms while cutting is completely unnecessary and makes her movements unstable,’ he said. ‘A confident, controlled slicing motion is far safer than the hesitant, wobbly technique she uses.’

Elsewhere, Selena Gomez – who has a laid-back style cooking show where she learns from chefs and admitted she’s not the best in the kitchen – has herself knifes are not her strength. 

‘In her cooking show, she often handles a knife with hesitation, which can lead to uneven cuts and an increased risk of slipping,’ Tom said.

‘She also tends to hold food with her fingers too flat against the board, putting her fingertips in danger.

‘A sharp knife is actually safer than a dull one because it requires less force, reducing the chances of an accident.

‘Tucking in her fingertips and using her knuckles as a guide would help her avoid injury. Instead of cutting one piece at a time with uncertain movements, she should focus on using a steady, rhythmic chopping motion.’

Tom said that ‘confidence is key when handling a knife’.

‘Hesitation often leads to accidents, while a controlled and deliberate approach makes the process much smoother,’ he concluded.

However trained chef Lisa Marley pointed out that celeb slicing faux pas are very normal, especially when you’re on camera.

‘The phenomenon of celebrities, including Meghan Markle, struggling with basic kitchen knife skills has sparked quite a bit of conversation, particularly among fans and cooking enthusiasts,’ she told FEMAIL.

‘Many celebrities, including those in the entertainment industry, often have busy schedules that don’t leave much room for everyday tasks like cooking.

‘This means they might not have had the time or opportunity to develop proper knife skills, leading to less-than-ideal techniques when they do find themselves in the kitchen.

‘Celebrities come from diverse backgrounds, and not everyone has had the chance to learn cooking basics. For some, cooking may not have been a part of their upbringing or training, especially if they spent their formative years focused on their careers in the spotlight.’

She added that cooking shows are ‘often high-pressure environments where the focus is not only on the food but also on the host’s charisma and engagement with the audience’.

‘This can lead to nerves or distractions, causing even seasoned cooks can falter in their technique,’ Lisa said.

‘The presence of cameras can be intimidating, potentially leading to mistakes that might not occur in a relaxed home setting. This performance anxiety can affect how they handle utensils and ingredients, making their techniques appear awkward.

‘In a cooking show, editing can influence how skills are perceived. A quick cut can misrepresent a celebrity’s true proficiency, and viewers might focus on mistakes without seeing the full context of the cooking process.

‘Fans often hold celebrities to a high standard, but cooking isn’t always a skill that translates well from other areas of expertise. The pressure to be perfect in every aspect of life can lead to scrutiny that overshadows the more relatable aspects of learning and making mistakes.’

In the final episode, Meghan reflected: ‘Just being home and connecting with friends, making new friends… I’m just so grateful for that. But also reconnecting with myself. And just learning, right? I’ve always been curious. 

‘Sharing all those discoveries and everything I love with the people that I love, it brings me so much joy.’