Mindy Kaling dismisses misconceptions about Meghan Markle's 'expectations of fanciness’

In a TIME magazine interview published on February 19, 2025, Mindy Kaling addressed a common misconception about her friend, Meghan Markle, describing the Duchess of Sussex as “down-to-earth” and insisting she is not “fussy” or “expecting fanciness.” Kaling, 45, clarified that Markle’s reputation as someone with high expectations is far from the truth. Instead, she highlighted Markle’s grounded personality and her impressive skills in making cooking and entertaining fun and easy.

Kaling and Markle, 43, have teamed up for Netflix's upcoming lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, which will drop on March 4. The series features Markle cooking for friends, including Kaling, at her Montecito home with husband Prince Harry. Kaling shared how Markle invited her to Montecito during her maternity leave, offering to cook for her. Kaling expressed that the gesture was much appreciated during such a busy time in her life. “I wanted to get taken care of in that moment,” she said. Markle also sent Kaling home with a thoughtful basket of fresh produce, homemade jam, and hot sauce—knowing her love for hot sauce.

Kaling also praised Markle's cooking abilities, saying her recipes are not only delicious but accessible. She jokingly acknowledged that she could never replicate Markle's garden or care for chickens, calling it “very accessible.”

Though Kaling didn’t have the chance to try any dishes prepared by Prince Harry during her visit, she mentioned that Harry is rumored to be a skilled cook. “I heard he’s actually a pretty good cook,” Kaling said, adding that the Prince knows his way around a kitchen.