Michael Steed, the director of Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, recently opened up about his experience working with the Duchess of Sussex, painting a picture of a hardworking, warm, and inclusive individual. In an interview with People magazine, Steed praised Meghan for her relentless drive and dedication, contradicting earlier reports from unnamed former royal staffers who had alleged that she was difficult to work with. “Everyone has their own version of her, but she’s just someone who’s constantly hustling and working,” Steed said, emphasizing her commitment to the project and her passion for the work. He also highlighted her love for cooking, which is a central theme in the series. “Her cooking is pretty spot-on,” he shared. “She’s not a chef, and it’s definitely not meant to make it seem like she is, but there’s just a love of cooking that is palpable.” This sentiment was echoed by another staffer, who described Meghan as “warm,” “approachable,” and “genuine” throughout the production of the cooking series, which has already been renewed for a second season.
One of the most striking aspects of Meghan’s approach to the series, according to Steed and others, was her efforts to create an inclusive and communal environment on set. “She made sure everyone felt included, from Netflix executives to our director to every PA on set. No one was left out,” one staffer shared. This sense of camaraderie was a refreshing change from the typical hierarchy often found in television productions. “Most of the time, we’re expected to fade into the background, to be invisible. But in this show, we were part of it. We were included. It was a very unique and refreshing experience,” the staffer added. Meghan herself described the filming process as a shared experience, one that felt more like spending time with friends than a formal production. “It feels as though we’re just spending time together, which is what it ended up being,” she said. She even shared anecdotes about the communal spirit of the set, recalling moments where she would prepare a dish and invite the entire crew to taste it. “I’d make a recipe and say, ‘Everyone try this,’ and there are certain dishes where you just watch everyone flock in. I’d say, ‘We’ve run out of spoons!’ It ended up feeling so communal, and that’s the spirit of the show,” she said.
Despite the positive feedback from her current team, Meghan has long faced criticism from anonymous sources who have worked with her in the past. Last month, a royal staffer spoke to The London Times about Meghan’s time in the royal family, calling her the “Duchess of Difficult” due to her struggles to navigate the complexities of royal life. “She could be difficult because she was finding life difficult—trying to feel her way and work out the intricacies of a positively medieval, labyrinthine system,” the staffer said. Similarly, in September, The Hollywood Reporter published a piece alleging that sources who worked for Meghan were “terrified” of her, with one insider even referring to her as a “dictator in heels.” These claims have been widely publicized and have contributed to the narrative that Meghan is demanding and difficult to work with.
However, current and former staffers of Meghan and Prince Harry have come forward to refute these claims, defending the couple as kind and supportive employers. “Best bosses I have ever had,” one current team member told Us Weekly, while a former staffer described their time with the Sussexes as “truly an honor.” These testimonials suggest that the negative portrayals of Meghan in the media do not fully capture her character or the experiences of those who have worked closely with her. Instead, they paint a picture of a thoughtful and caring leader who values her team and creates a positive work environment.
It’s worth noting that the contradictions between these accounts likely stem from differing perspectives and experiences. While some individuals may have found Meghan challenging to work with, particularly as she navigated the complexities of royal life, others have had overwhelmingly positive experiences with her. This disparity highlights the complexity of human relationships and the fact that people can have vastly different perceptions of the same person. It also underscores the importance of taking anonymous sources and media reports with a grain of salt, as they often represent only one side of the story.
Ultimately, the accounts from Michael Steed and other members of Meghan’s team provide a more nuanced and humanizing perspective on the duchess. They suggest that beyond the headlines and the anonymously sourced claims, Meghan is a person who cares deeply about her work, her team, and the experiences she creates for others. Her approach to the Netflix series, from the communal cooking moments to her efforts to include every member of the production, reflects a sense of warmth, inclusivity, and genuine connection. While she may have faced challenges in her professional journey, particularly during her time in the royal family, it’s clear that she has also made a lasting positive impact on many of those who have worked with her. As more of her projects continue to unfold, it will be interesting to see how these qualities are reflected in her work and how they shape the public’s understanding of who she is beyond the headlines.
