MEGHAN Markle has said she “didn’t want a reality show” as she defended her Netflix series at the glitzy TIME100 summit in New York.
In an on-stage interview, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, also explained the “fairy”-like flower sprinkles that heavily feature in her controversial show, With Love, Meghan.
Meghan and Harry joined some of the world’s “most influential people” at the posh event at the Lincoln Centre today.
The summit, which featured stars from Ryan Reynolds and Demi Moore, was designed to “spotlight solutions and encourage action toward a better world”.
Upon arrival, the royal pair posed for photos alongside TIME presenter Jessica Sibley and journalist Sam Jacobs.
The mother-of-two wore a $5,000 matching beige silk suit with white shirt and $495 suede heels, while Harry sported a black suit.
On-stage, Meghan was quizzed by Jessica about what went on behind the scenes of With Love, Meghan – including why she decided to film the show at a rented home.
The Duchess explained that she didn’t want her kids, Lilibet and Archie, to be exposed to the show’s 80 crew members, saying: “Eighty people in the kitchen isn’t really the childhood memory I’d like them [her kids] to have.”
Elaborating on the series, she said: “Part of what’s really really important is that love language of taking care of people feeds me. It’s in many ways part of my self care.”
When asked how she avoided burnout during filming, she added: “Doing it in a way that’s thoughtful and so authentic it actually energises you as opposed to depleting you.”
She said that she was determined to make a cooking show that didn’t “feel like a typical show”, adding: “I didn’t want a reality show.”
When asked about the infamous flower sprinkles, Meghan joked: “Oh my gosh!
“You’d think I’m a little fairy tossing them around all the time. The obsession that has come with flower sprinkles.
“Of all things we could be talking about…it speaks to the tiny moment of joy that are so effortless and create a little bit of magic we’re all craving every day.
“The level of charm people have when they see these tiny littke dried petals is something I can’t wrap my head around but appreciate.
“There is a love for the detail and a small level of delight that can be added.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Meghan gushed that she was “happier than ever”.
“I’m the happiest that I’ve ever been,” she said, “and to have a partner and husband who is so supportive and have healthy kids who are so joyful and in the freeness of their life and the safety of their life we created for them.
“Of all the things that happened I never would have imagined at this point I’d be so happy and free and I really do.”
The event marks Meghan and Harry’s first official appearance together since they were spotted at the Invictus Games in February.
The Duchess accessorised her outfit with a $28,000 Cartier gold watch, a pair of Balenciaga hoop earrings, and a $180 Veronica Beard brown belt.
It comes after Meghan broke her silence this week on the drama surrounding her As Ever trademark – after facing claims she had “ripped off” smaller brands.
Speaking on Confessions of a Female Founder, she said: “I had secured As Ever as a name in 2022, and then as everything started to evolve last year.”
