The Duchess of Sussex she might see herself as a pioneering figure in royalty for championing the pleasure of being a host.
However, research shows that she is treading the same path as one of the Princess of Wales ’s ancestors, who was among the world’s first home lifestyle women “influencers”.
Harriet Martineau was a feminist, a social activist, and among the foremost intellectuals of the 19th century.
She not only advocated for women's rights but also championed an idealized version of home life. She provided guidance to parents with young kids on healthy eating habits, cultivating vegetables, and maintaining beehives.
Her father, Thomas, was the Princess’s great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, prompting unavoidable parallels with the former Kate Middleton.
But it is Meghan who stands out, whose Netflix lifestyle and cookery series was released this month, with someone seeming to follow a similar career trajectory.
Martineau, born in 1802, enjoyed considerable influence along with a distinguished group of acquaintances. Many within this elite circle shared her ambition to transform society.
She counted Charles Darwin , Charlotte Brontë , Florence Nightingale and George Eliot among her high-profile friends.
Although they couldn't be showcased on television, their exchanges were documented in written form.
Following her first meeting, Brontë characterized Martineau as "warm and inviting," and upon subsequent visits she commented, "I am unable to express my admiration for my gracious hostess in sufficiently glowing terms."
The Australian historian Michael Reed stated that Martineau was, in numerous aspects, the initial trendsetter.
“He mentioned that she was both intellectually inclined and a prominent abolitionist, yet she also held firm beliefs on raising a family.”
She wasn't scattering flowers all around, but she talked about the 'happiness' of domestic life to her listeners.
“She built up a huge following and admirable reputation from her books, lectures and many newspaper articles – success I imagine Meghan would love to replicate.”
Gaby Weiner, an academic and author who belongs to the Martineau Society, stated that Martineau was highly motivated to make a significant societal impact.
She mentioned that she found her to be far more impactful and revolutionary compared to Meghan,
She possessed an excellent sense of both contemporary trends and modern ideas. She was quite forward-thinking.
When she traveled to the US, everyone celebrated her presence; she held significant sway in governmental circles and garnered attention from political figures.
Ms. Weiner noted that Martineau's appeal lay in her captivating writing style. One of her early works on the political economy even managed to outperform sales expectations. Charles Dickens at that time.
In her 1848 publication "Household Education," she delved into the concept of life within the household, praising the benefits of "tender family bonds" and "domestic contentment." She also mentioned that "an abundance of fresh butter, an assortment of poultry, mountains of eggs, along with bountiful piles of fruits and vegetables, deserve appreciation."
The book achieved huge success on both sides of the Atlantic. It can still be found listed in top 100 women’s non-fiction texts.
New York’s Merchants’ Magazine and Commercial Review said in 1849: “The book should be in the hands, and its contents carefully ‘learned, marked and digested’ by every mother who speaks the English language.”
Some 175 years later, the Duchess’s Netflix production, With Love, Meghan , didn't receive as positive reviews, characterized by the Hollywood trades Variety As "a Montecito ego voyage not worthy of undertaking."
Likewise, though, the Duchess frequently praised the delight of a vegetable crudités tray or a fruit platter, showering enthusiastic approval on eggs.
Although acknowledging her status as an amateur beekeeper, The Duchess also gathered honey from her hives, remarking, "It's wonderful to feel so interconnected."
Although Meghan didn't claim to be knowledgeable about bees, Martineau had a row of lime trees cultivated specifically for their benefit.
In her 1850 publication titled "A Year at Ambleside," she meticulously documented the process of cultivating the gardens around her newly acquired residence known as The Knoll in Ambleside, Cumbria. She elaborated on selecting evergreen plants to brighten dreary winters with color, planting linden trees specifically for their appeal to honeybees, and incorporating thorn bushes along with holly shrubs to provide sustenance and shelter for various bird species inhabiting the area.
She conveyed the "happiness from her delight upon initially experiencing sunlight, blossoms, and the emerging spring," informing readers that at home, they should make sure their children understand "that the tranquility and happiness of the family hinge on having a clear conscience."
Both Brontë and William Wordsworth The poet loved planting trees in Martineau's expansive garden.
The Duchess proudly spoke of her plentiful supply of citrus and fruit trees, mentioning that they yielded such an abundant crop she frequently donated a significant portion of it.
Her passion for gardening led her to share tips on flower arrangement and making garden-themed party bags for children.
As Meghan is presently dedicated to portraying a picture of an ideal family life at home, she hasn’t shied away from sharing her political views either, stating that she identifies as "a supporter of women's rights and equality."
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When Martineau traveled to the U.S., journeys like hers for unmarried women were unprecedented, yet she returned with a best-selling account of what she observed called "Society In America."
She likewise earned the admiration of the Royal family yet maintained a sensible doubt regarding the institution of monarchy.
Invited to the coronation of 1838 Queen Victoria — who appreciated her writings — she subsequently referred to the event as "only worthy of the ancient Egyptian Pharaonic era."
Her symbolic novel "The Peasant and the Prince," which revolves around two individuals from vastly differing societal standings who intersect, explores issues related to equity and social hierarchy.
A striking similarity between these two women is their innate tendency towards self-promotion.
In numerous guidebooks to the Lake District, Martineau provided instructions for locating her home: "The dwelling situated on elevated land behind the chapel is called The Knoll, where Miss H Martineau resides."
In a 2014 blog entry discussing Victorian-era women, author Alexis Easley stated that "More so than any other female writer during the Victorian period, Harriet Martineau grasped the significance of leveraging celebrity culture" as a strategy to secure lasting recognition for herself.
Meghan has maintained that regardless of the upcoming launch of her lifestyle business, As Ever , despite being heavily promoted on social media, she did not have influence.
"I view myself as both an entrepreneur and a woman founder, and if the brand becomes influential along the way, that would be fantastic," she stated.
Nevertheless, the Duchess would undoubtedly be thrilled to someday attain such esteemed status akin to her sister-in-law’s forebear.
Maria Weston Chapman, the author who released "Memorials of Harriet Martineau" soon after her passing in 1876, described her subject as follows: “Some individuals possess the ability to exert significant influence; those with such affectionate natures that, without considering their public standing, they become widely and fervently loved; among them, she (Martineau) stood out as the foremost figure.”
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