The VERY surprising Palace reaction to Meghan’s new show. Sources tell RICHARD EDEN what they really think – and what royals fear her explosive next move could be

The Duchess of Sussex breathlessly declared on her new Instagram page that she was “so excited” to share a trailer for her highly anticipated Netflix cooking show: With Love, Meghan.

The clips showed the former actress cooking in the kitchen of a Montecito mansion, picking produce from her garden, putting a sticker on a homemade candle, chatting with famous friends and hugging her husband Prince Harry — all to the tune of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s 1965 hit Do you believe in magic.

However, its release led to a flood of criticism. Even normally friendly publications like The Guardian describe the trailer as a “symphony of beige,” a “quiet luxury Pinterest board come to life.” The trailer highlighted the traditional – possibly anti-feminist – portrayal of domestic life, asking: “Who is With Love for, Meghan?” Perhaps those who are attracted to the ‘trad-wife’ aesthetic.’

Now I bring news of the palace’s response – and it may surprise you.

Courtiers tell me that members of the royal family are actually hoping that the American duchess’s eight-part series will be a hit when it comes out next Wednesday.

“Everyone wants it to be a success,” a Palace source told me. “And that’s because, if that’s the case, she and Harry won’t have to exploit their royal connections anymore.”

Referring to Harry’s tawdry memoir, the source added: “The last thing anyone wants is another Spare, this time from Meghan.”

The courtier’s comment echoes a magnanimous comment from Harry’s father in his first address to the nation as monarch in 2022. King Charles said he wanted to “express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives abroad.”

No doubt the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be hoping that With Love Meghan is also a success – potentially crucial for their finances.

Their $100 million deal with Netflix expires this year and can only be renewed if the new show is popular with viewers around the world.

You may recall that the couple lost their $20 million contract to produce podcasts for Spotify in 2023, with an executive from the audio giant memorably describing them as “damn fraudsters.” It is believed that Netflix accounts for the majority of their revenue.

Given the costs associated with their lifestyle, this income is undoubtedly necessary. Harry and Meghan must pay the mortgage and maintenance of their £12million Tuscan-style mansion with its 13 – and a half – bathrooms, spa, pool, cellar and cinema. But even more expensive is their 24-hour security, which is expected to generate as much as £3 million a year.

In the couple’s explosive 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey – in which Meghan claimed senior royals had raised concerns about her baby’s skin color – Harry made it clear that the Netflix and Spotify deals were ‘never part of the plan’ until his family shut him down. financial.

That deal with Netflix came about with the promise of an all-encompassing program about their lives with the Windsors, which they delivered with the 2022 ‘docu-series’ Harry & Meghan.

That six-part program deteriorated relations with the royal family by accusing them of ‘leaking’ and ‘planting’ stories in the media. Meghan even appeared to mock the late Queen Elizabeth by demonstrating the extravagant bow she made for her.

However, it was Harry’s 2023 book that caused the most damage. Critics accused him of betraying his relatives, recounting private conversations and making inflammatory claims about their views and behavior.

There have been rumors for some time that Meghan could follow up her husband’s book with her own memoir.

Considering the damage she has caused with her accusations in the Oprah interview, the prospect of a book is enough to send shivers down the spine of the palace.

This is why, surprisingly, insiders are hoping that her new show will bring some success for the couple.

If it turns out to be a flop, it can leave a very bitter aftertaste…

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