Netflix deals, mum image & woo woo living… forget Gwyneth Paltrow, Meghan Markle is morphing into Holly Willougby
ONE is married to British royalty and the other is the former queen of daytime TV, and while their lives may seem world’s apart, Meghan Markle and Holly Willoughby are perhaps more alike than some might think.
While born on opposite sides of the pond, both Meghan and Holly share many similarities, such as their ambition for global success, their influence in the world of fashion, as well as their love of wellness and lifestyle brands.
Denise Palmer-Davies, brand expert and managing director of Borne Media, said: “Meghan and Holly are comparable in so many ways.
“In fact, the only remarkable difference between the two women is their early family life – Holly had a stable upbringing and was raised by her middle class parents in West Sussex, while Meghan had a more disjointed childhood in the States, with her parents divorcing when she was six and them sharing custody throughout her childhood.
“When you look at both women, their achievements, their goals, even the way they conduct themselves in public, they are almost like carbon copies of each other.”
Here we take a look at how Meghan and Holly have morphed over the years…
TURBULENT TIMES
Both Holly and Meghan have experienced a difficult 18 months, and while their stresses have been for different reasons, Denise says the duo have dealt with them in similar ways.
Last year, Holly found herself inadvertently embroiled in the scandal involving Phillip Schofield, forcing her to release a statement saying she was ‘shaken, troubled and let down’ by her former best friend.
Then in October, she quit This Morning after 14 years at the helm after a kidnap, rape and murder plot was foiled by cops.
Meanwhile Meghan has seen several lucrative deals – including her animated Netflix series and Archetypes podcast – canned since her return to the States.
She has also struggled to win over the public, and, according to Denise, “criticised for everything she does.”
“Both women have had a difficult time, particularly around their careers,’ she continued.
“Holly was forced to quit the job she loves and she lost her best friend when Philip resigned from the show months earlier.
“Meghan has tried to forge a career after standing down as a working royal, but it hasn’t always gone her way and without the public on her side, she is criticised for everything she does.
“One thing I would say about these women is that on the surface they seem to handle adversity well.
“They are composed and both seem to share the ‘dust yourself’ down attitude.
“They also both share a positive mindset and seem to have faith that things will work out.”
PR APPROACH
It is the way that both women have dealt with adversity that is strikingly similar.
In fact, Holly was compared to Meghan after she made a statement to This Morning viewers following Phillip’s resignation last year.
One media commentator noted: “When she said: ‘Firstly, how are you doing?’ I just thought it was straight out of that Meghan Markle playbook.
“It was scripted clearly. When she said ‘deep breaths’, even that bit was clearly scripted.”
Meanwhile Meghan is frequently branded as being “too scripted” and having “one expression” at red carpet events.
Denise commented: “You can see similarities in the way they deal with both conflict, their private lives and the media.
“While composed, they can both seem guarded, not giving too much away, and they give very few media interviews, usually only to carefully selected high end outlets.
“But this careful and cautious approach is a by-product of being burned in the past, which they both have.
“It’s likely they will be taking advice from their PR teams on how to navigate challenges as they arise, but you can’t help but note that their approach and delivery – even down to their tone – is very similar.”
BIG MONEY TV DEALS
Since quitting her role as the queen of daytime TV, Holly has gone on to pursue new projects – and like Meghan, is set for global fame.
Holly recently signed a big money deal to host a new reality show with Bear Grylls with streaming giant Netflix – and with the series available worldwide from next year, Holly will have access to a global market.
A source told The Sun back in April that the series is “expected to be a worldwide hit.”
They added: “She is ready to go into the next league.
“There is a lot riding on this show but Holly and her team already think they could be on to a winner.”
Meanwhile, Meghan – despite already being known worldwide – has similar ambitions to appear on global TV networks.
After quitting royal duties in 2020, Meghan and her husband Prince Harry signed a reported £77m deal with the streaming giant, who were recently tipped to rival ITV with its mainstream content.
Denise said: “Netflix has now become the number one place for TV shows and documentaries.
“With 277 million global subscribers, it is the perfect platform for global recognition so I can see why both Holly and Meghan’s teams have directed their energies into Netflix.
“Their shows will be watched in homes all over the globe – many people work years and years for worldwide success, but a brilliant Netflix series can get you similar results overnight and both Holly and Meghan will know this.”
LIFESTYLE BRANDS
Both women have used their love of wellness and meditation to launch lifestyle brands.
Described as ‘woo-woo’, Holly is into sound baths and crystals and runs Wylde Moon, while Meghan is a yoga bunny and loves fresh food and juices.
She used to write a blog on now defunct website Tig, and earlier this year launched her new lifestyle site America Riviera Orchard.
However, not everyone is a fan of their lifestyle businesses and both women have been criticised.
What has Meghan Markle teased from American Riviera Orchard so far?
MEGHAN Markle launched her brand's new Instagram page in March 2024, but no products are available to buy as of yet.
Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
Meghan kicked off promoting American Riviera Orchard by sending 50 branded jams to friends and influencers.
Those who received a package included Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dorak, Tracy Robbins and Kris Jenner.
She later unveiled two new products from her American Riviera Orchard brand just hours before Trooping the Colour.
Polo player and close friend of Prince Harry, Nacho Figueras was treated to a jar of raspberry jam from the collection as well as a jar of luxury dog biscuits for his pooch.
Judy Finnegan, who like Holly presented This Morning back in the 90s, said Holly’s site was a “con” and “dangerous,” adding websites like hers “make fortunes for their charismatic hosts under the guise of caring for women’s wellbeing.”
Meanwhile Meghan was reportedly left “in tears” over the “unfair criticism” of her new lifestyle brand, according to royal expert and author Tom Quinn.
Denise said: “They are both very similar in that self care and wellness is a priority for them.
“They both like to eat well, exercise and practice meditation – and they’ve both made a business out of it, selling expensive products which have seen them come under fire.
“But what they are doing isn’t anything new, Gwyneth Paltrow has done it for years and there is clearly a market for it.”
FASHION FORWARD
According to Denise, both Holly and Meghan are hot property when it comes to fashion and beauty.
Branded “The Holly Willoughby effect”, her partnership with M&S saw her ranges fly off the shelves.
Other brands, such as Hunza G, Aspinal and Dune, have also been buoyed by her influence, and saw huge upticks in sales of items she has worn.
And Meghan has the same impact when it comes to fashion. Dubbed the “Meghan Markle Sparkle”, fashion and beauty brands she has worn have sold out of products in minutes.
Denise said: “Fashion and beauty bands would bite their arms off to have Holly or Meghan on their books.
“They know the influence and pull they have on the market, and being pictured in one dress or with one bag is worth hundreds of thousands to the retailer.
“Thanks to their style and love and fashion, Meghan and Holly are both admired for their choices – and their huge fashion fan bases can guarantee a spike in sales.”
FAMILY FIRST
While both women are household names, they are fiercely protective of their children, choosing to keep them out of the limelight.
After leaving royal life four years ago, Meghan has chosen not to regularly share updates or pictures of her children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, on social media.
And Holly follows the same rule – while she often shares snippets of her family life on Instagram, she always obscures the faces of her three children, Harry, 14, Belle, 12, and nine-year-old Chester.
They have both also spoken publicly about how family comes first, with Meghan recently saying being a mum was “the most important thing in my entire life.”
Meanwhile Holly said her reason for quitting This Morning last year was a “decision for me and my family.”
Inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Californian home
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have lived in their luxury Montecito mansion since they splashed out £11.93m on it in June 2020.
The sprawling nine-bed, 16-bath home in Santa Barbara sits on 5.4 acres of land and features a library, office, spa, gym, game room, wine cellar and five-car garage, it’s believed.
The estate also boasts sweeping lawns, tiered rose gardens, tall Italian cypress trees, blooming lavender, olive trees, a tennis court, tea house, children’s cottage and a pool.
The couple have treated fans to glimpses of their multiple living spaces on several occasions – showing off a minimalist vibe.
It is said to have more than doubled in value since the former royals bought it.
Denise said: “Both Holly and Meghan have put their children above everything else.
“They both share career ambition, but not at the expense of their families.
“What is interesting is that Holly is often praised for putting her family first, while Meghan is criticised.
“People seem to disbelieve her children are a priority, but her actions suggest otherwise.
“She has shielded them from intrusion and they are growing up on a farm over a palace.
“Whatever people think of Meghan, like Holly she wants what is best for her children above everything else.”