Meghan Markle faced criticism from fans after launching her latest As Ever product: a luxury £112 advent calendar inspired by her Montecito mansion, released on Thursday. The product features an illustration of her Californian home, just over a month after the duchess moved back to the UK.
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”.
Fans react on social media
Some fans were not impressed with the product, nor its price tag, and took to social media to express their disapproval. One user blasted on X: “$148 for 24 mid chocolates! [laughing face emoji] only Meghan could think that was a winning strategy. Because you know, she so religious!”
Another said: “The Royal shop is selling an Advent calendar for 12 pounds and all the profits go to charity. Meghan is selling the same calendar for $150. This is why they’ll never let Harry and Meghan back into the family.”
A third opined: “I don’t think that many will actually buy it. And if it sells out it’s only because her rich friends are trying to save her from total embarrassment.” A fourth asked: “Who in the Sam Hill would spend $148 on this? [clown emoji]”
Product details and availability
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.
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 luster”.
The description adds: “This limited-edition advent calendar reveals 24 handcrafted chocolates in a keepsake design inspired by Meghan’s Montecito home and garden.”
Promotional footage
The duchess was pictured on As Ever’s Instagram smiling as she opened one of the calendar’s numbered doors while sitting on a window seat in a neutrally decorated room. Earlier, Meghan posted footage on her social media account of herself driving a golf buggy, with Compartes’ chief executive, Jonathan Grahm, sitting at her side.
The story was captioned “Christmas planning in June” and Meghan smiled and said “Hang on” as they drove along a path, with Mr Grahm saying “Stay tuned”. The footage also showed colour sketches of the house, and the Sussexes’ labrador Pula carrying a soft toy in the shape of an As Ever pot of strawberry jam.
