Meghan Markle faced ridicule from fans after a new clip was released to promote her latest product. The Duchess of Sussex's lifestyle brand, As Ever, launched its first-ever advent calendar on Thursday.
The inside of the box includes the words “A magical celebration of the season”, and adds that the 24 handcrafted chocolates are there to “sweeten each day” and have been “thoughtfully inspired by our Montecito garden”.
Product launch details
The limited-edition product, created in collaboration with Los Angeles chocolatier Compartes, was added to As Ever's website for pre-order on Thursday. The festive ware is not available to buy for delivery to the UK, with Meghan's brand, which includes flower sprinkles, jam and wine, currently only shipping inside the US.
Meghan's new launch was accompanied by a number of new photographs and clips, including one showing a hand picking up a chocolate from the calendar, before the shot cut to a clear angle of the duchess holding the calendar.
Fan reactions on social media
Some fans thought the nails in the first video were poorly secured and took to social media to express their views. One user wrote on X: “Meghan, you could’ve at least had your nails filled for this video shoot. Your ‘freakish attention to detail’ and all.”
Another added: “Maybe if she sells a few things from those $148 24 tiny chocolates she can afford a mani.” A third user commented: “One would have thought I agree as you’ve stated with her freakish attention to details.” A fourth blasted: “It all looks tacky, unappetizing, and cheap.”
Defenders and product details
But some defended the duchess, with one user writing: “Wow, now you are criticising her nails. Weirdos out here finding whatever they can to criticise. It must be so hard for you to be perfect all the time huh?” Another added: “I don’t think the hand taking a chocolate is hers. Her nails are short and her fingers don’t move like that.” It is not clear whose nails the ones in the first clip are and the duchess's nails appear to have more of a square shape.
Priced at 148 dollars (£112), the site said the calendar's “flavours draw from California’s fresh bounty” and feature As Ever's signature strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and orange marmalade spreads, a special chocolate finished with Meghan's flower sprinkles, and a Compartes rich dark chocolate ganache truffle.
It says: “Each piece is finished with its countdown number in Meghan’s personal penmanship, hand-painted in edible gold lustre”. The description adds: “This limited-edition advent calendar reveals 24 handcrafted chocolates in a keepsake design inspired by Meghan’s Montecito home and garden.”
