Mindy Kaling has fans raising their eyebrows after revealing Meghan Markle’s surprising advice for throwing children’s parties. The actress and writer, known for her role in The Office, recently spoke to Time about her experience working with Markle on the upcoming Netflix show With Love, Meghan.
Kaling, 45, had nothing but praise for the Duchess of Sussex, calling her a “down-to-earth” person with impressive hosting skills. However, one of Markle’s party-planning tips left many people baffled—her suggestion to avoid using overhead lighting in favor of carefully placed lamps.
Mindy Kaling: Duchess Meghan is not fancy, she ‘really is a down-to-earth person’ https://t.co/fXC2KWb6i8 pic.twitter.com/D3GlMmRvyA
— celebitchy (@celebitchy) February 20, 2025
A Party Planning Tip That Left Fans Cringing
While discussing what she learned from Markle, Kaling admitted she had little experience in entertaining guests and was surprised by some of the finer details.
“I love cooking, but I’m really not good at entertaining,” Kaling shared. “I don’t know anything about how you’re not supposed to use overhead lighting when people come over. You’re supposed to use little lamps. But Meghan just knows how to do that stuff.”
Mindy Kaling reveals Meghan Markles tip for hosting a child's party. pic.twitter.com/7JraFCCRnm
— Hambone's Word. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 (@Keithhambone) February 20, 2025
According to Kaling, Markle’s approach to children’s parties includes small, thoughtful details that make the event feel special. While Kaling admitted she typically just picks up decorations from a party supply store, Markle introduced her to simple, homemade ways to elevate a gathering.
Markle also gifted Kaling a basket of fresh produce, homemade jam, and hot sauce, knowing her love for spicy food. Kaling described the former royal as “a very generous woman who knew I needed a break.”
Fans Call the Advice Unrealistic
While some fans appreciated the idea of thoughtful hosting, many were quick to call Markle’s advice “ridiculous” and “out of touch.”
One social media user scoffed, “Sure, that advice works if you live in a $15 million mansion! But for the average person, they wouldn’t do that. Who has time to place decorative lamps at a kids’ birthday party?”
Another commented, “Are the little boys in tuxedos and the girls in pearls? What kind of kids’ party is this?”
Others pointed out the practicality issues, with one person saying, “Because little kids on a sugar high will obliterate those random lamps in a second.”
For many parents, the idea of setting up mood lighting for a children’s event seemed completely unnecessary. “I just throw up a few balloons, hang a birthday sign, and call it a day. I don’t have extra lamps to place around,” another user wrote.
Meghan Markle’s Growing Lifestyle Empire
Despite the backlash, Markle continues to expand her influence in the lifestyle and entertainment space. She recently rebranded her new venture from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever, quickly gaining two million Instagram followers in just a few days.
Her new brand, which focuses on food, gardening, entertaining, and thoughtful living, will coincide with the launch of her upcoming Netflix cooking show, set to premiere on March 4.
In a recent Instagram post, Markle described As Ever as an extension of her passion for hosting and finding joy in everyday moments. “This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language—beautifully weaving together everything I cherish,” she wrote.
The Bottom Line
While Meghan Markle’s hosting tips may not be for everyone, they certainly got people talking. Whether you agree with her lamp-lighting philosophy or prefer a simpler approach to kids’ parties, the debate highlights the contrast between celebrity lifestyles and everyday parenting.
As With Love, Meghan prepares to hit Netflix, one thing is clear—Markle’s take on entertaining will continue to be a hot topic of conversation.
