Meghan Markle's latest product announcement was savaged by royal fans, who accused the duchess of trying to "copy" King Charles. The Duchess of Sussex revealed that she is launching a "Holiday Collection" in the run-up to Christmas, including a hostess basket and a set of As Ever playing cards.
After unveiling her £112 luxury advent calendar last week, Meghan's new products will also include a selection of three chocolate bars, in Ginger Lemon, Lavender Honey and Hibiscus Rose flavours.
Launch of "The Holiday Collection: Chapter One"
The duchess's lifestyle brand revealed that "The Holiday Collection: Chapter One" would be launched on October 6, with the added tagline "Merriment in the Making". It said: "The holidays have a way of reminding us how much joy can be found in the moments that make up a life.
"They invite us to gather a little closer, to make things with our hands, to set the table with care, and to give generously to the people we love."
Meghan's products will include a wicker hostess basket filled with two scented candles, three jams, three types of herbal tea and a pot of flower sprinkles. The two sets of playing cards, in a pale green box, which are edged with a gold border and feature As Ever's palm tree with two hummingbird birds logo, are called "The Keepsake Double-Deck Parlour Card Set". The prices have yet to be revealed.
Fans Accuse Meghan of Copying Highgrove
But fans took aim at the duchess's latest launch, while some of them accused her of copying the King's Highgrove shop, which is famous for its Christmas hampers. One user said on X: "Private citizen Meghan Markle said her brand was inspired by California life.
"But we're getting gardens, preserves, honey, flowers & country living—the very territory Highgrove has occupied for years. California girl to English country estate? Originality took the day off."
A second one agreed: "She is literally copying them exactly… right down to the basket!"
A third one commented: "Funny how she copies so many of the items from the wonderful Highgrove gardens. The new hampers, her jams that aren't actually jams, teas, etc. Hard pass again, markle. I will stick to Highgrove. Quality counts. She does not."
A fourth user wrote: "As usual, Meghan Markle is arrogantly copying Highgrove - trying desperately to emulate a similar aesthetic - yet falling FAR short. The Highgrove basket is full of colour and Christmas appeal. Meghan's is the predictably beige and boring offering that we've come to expect."
Another one blasted: "#MeghanMarkle is really just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. A double deck of playing cards? I'm sorry-'Parlour Cards'? You can get a pack of playing cards for like $3, btw."
Instagram Teaser and Advent Calendar
The duchess was pictured on As Ever's Instagram stirring a pot on the stove in a luxury kitchen at the weekend, with the post reading: "The season of giving is almost here, and we have a few surprises in store…"
Her 24-chocolate advent calendar, inspired by her Montecito mansion and garden, went on sale just over a month after the Sussexes left California and moved back to the UK.
