Now it’s Meghan the ‘trad wife’: How feminist Duchess has rebranded herself a housewife influencer for new Netflix cookery show with vision of domestic bliss

For years, Meghan Markle has been known as a champion of feminism and social justice, using her platform to advocate for women’s rights and global causes.

From her Archetypes podcast exploring gender stereotypes to penning letters to world leaders about gender equality, the Duchess of Sussex has been a steadfast voice for empowerment. 

Yet her latest venture, a Netflix cookery series titled With Love, Meghan has sparked accusations of a dramatic rebranding – from feminist trailblaser to the queen of the ‘trad wife’ trend.

The new show, described as a ‘celebration of food, family, and togetherness,’ showcases Meghan as the epitome of domestic perfection.

Set in a chic yet cozy kitchen adorned with pastel tones and vintage-inspired decor, Meghan guides viewers through recipes while sharing heartwarming anecdotes about family life.

Think glowing candles, artfully arranged charcuterie boards, and perfectly fluffed throw pillows. It’s a far cry from the feminist firebrand who once wrote to Procter & Gamble at age 11, demanding they change a sexist advert.

The ‘trad wife’ trend, a phenomenon that has gained traction on social media, idealises a return to traditional domestic roles for women. 

The former actress invites guests into her kitchen where she learns and shares tips on how to ‘elevate’ simple dishes 

Nestled in five acres of avocado and lemon groves, the sprawling ‘Tiburon Bay’ in Montecito, CA – just two miles from Prince Harry and Meghan’s own ultra-lavish abode

One of the Duchess’s first guests is long time friend (and recipient of American Riviera Orchard jam) Mindy Kaling 

Influencers such as Alena Kate Pettitt, author of The Darling Academy, and viral homemakers like Nara Smith (almost 16 million followers on TikTok and Instagram) and Hannah Neeleman (nearly 20 million) have built online empires sharing aspirational content about homemaking, baking, and family life. 

Their feeds are filled with idyllic snapshots of spotless homes, wholesome dinners, and moments of maternal joy – all wrapped in a comforting aesthetic that harks back to the 1950s.

Critics have noted Meghan’s Netflix show aligns closely with this movement. From the polished apron she wears in the trailer to the intimate glimpses of her life with Prince Harry and their children, it seems carefully curated to present a vision of harmonious domesticity. 

The message? Meghan, who once railed against societal expectations for women, now finds fulfillment in the role of homemaker.

However, the pivot has not gone unnoticed by critics, who argue it’s at odds with Meghan’s feminist ethos. 

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, the clip was ‘Disneyfied’ and ‘all about’ Meghan. He noted how, had the mother-of-two stayed as a senior member of the Royal Family, she could’ve ‘helped in a meaningful way’.

He also cautions that Meghan and Harry are entering a make-or-break period as their current media deals near expiration. 

‘If their multimillion-dollar Netflix deal is not extended this year, it would be a disaster for them,’ he notes. 

This isn’t the first time Meghan has reinvented herself. She has been Meghan the Hollywood actress, Meghan the Royal disruptor, Meghan the podcast host, and now to Meghan the trad wife/influencer. 

However, this move is being viewed by many as an attempt to bounce back from a string of setbacks that have plagued her and Prince Harry’s brand in recent months.

Their feeds are filled with idyllic snapshots of spotless homes, wholesome dinners, and moments of maternal joy – all wrapped in a comforting aesthetic that harks back to the 1950s

The garden view from the property they will film the TV show at in Montecito 

Meghan, 43, also speaks about learning new skills – including beekeeping – and dons the full gear in a clip 

The past two years have proved to be challenging for the Sussexes, marked by notable missteps that included the cancellation of Meghan’s much-hyped Spotify podcast Archetypes, reportedly due to a lack of impactful content.

Their joint Netflix documentary, Heart of Invictus, focused on Prince Harry’s beloved Invictus Games but failed to generate the buzz expected from their multimillion-dollar deal.

Perhaps most glaring was the failure of their Netflix project Polo, a docuseries chronicling Harry’s polo escapades, where they inexplicably only appeared toward the end, leaving audiences disappointed.

And on top of that Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand, once envisioned as a cornerstone of her post-royal ventures, has been mired in trademark disputes and a lack of tangible progress.

These hurdles have left their future in Hollywood uncertain, particularly as their Netflix contract approaches its expiration in 2025.

MailOnline can reveal she has chosen to film the eight-episode series ‘With Love, Meghan’ in a kitchen and home that isn’t her own – despite living around the corner.

The 43-year-old duchess chose a sprawling estate just two miles from the £11million Montecito property she shares with Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet. 

The 43-year-old duchess chose a sprawling estate just two miles from the £11million Montecito property she shares with Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet

Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand, once envisioned as a cornerstone of her post-royal ventures, has been mired in trademark disputes and a lack of tangible progress

‘Polo’ is the third documentary from Prince Harry and Meghan to disappoint both viewers and critics

The mansion where her Netflix show was filmed last year, an idyllic $8million (£5million) estate nestled within a gated community, boasts eight acres of avocado trees and lemon groves and is owned by Montecito’s influential Cipolla family.

Tom and Sherrie Cipolla, fixtures in the high society circles of the American Riviera, are both in their 70s.  They are prominent philanthropists with a $20million property portfolio, which includes a physical therapy practice with over $1.3million in annual sales.

Their 4,500 sq ft home, with four bedrooms and four bathrooms, has stunning French doors that open to a patio, lawn, and breath-taking mountain views.

And based on a trailer posted on her new Instagram account last night, it is the stage for Meghan to showcase her cooking and homemaking skills including a number of British-inspired recipes such as a classic Eton mess and a Victoria sponge.

In it she gives fans a sneak peek of her cooking, baking, cocktail making, flower arranging and party planning using its kitchen’s £15,000 cooker, £600 pans, £60 chopping boards and hosting friends across the property’s stunning rooms, garden and orchards.