The Duchess of Sussex has unveiled a new Holiday Advent Calendar through her As Ever brand, priced at around £112 ($148 US dollars), a cost that has drawn sharp criticism from royal commentators.
The calendar contains 24 handcrafted chocolates in a keepsake design inspired by Meghan's Montecito home and garden in California, and is available only in the United States. It was created in collaboration with Compartés creative director Jonathan Grahm, with a press release noting that "every detail was considered with care, including countdown numbers hand-painted in Meghan's own penmanship using edible gold lustre".
Comparison with Royal Collection Trust
Buckingham Palace has also released its own advent calendars for 2026, with the King's chocolate offering priced at £12—a staggering £100 less than the Duchess's version, despite containing the same number of chocolates. Weighing 95g and available on the Royal Collection Trust's website, the product "captures the magic of the festive season" at the three royal residences, including Windsor Castle.
Writing in the Daily Express, Chris Riches expressed disbelief at the pricing, noting that while Prince Harry and Meghan are "desperate to rake in the cash" to fund three homes—in California, Portugal, and the Cotswolds—along with security teams and blacked-out cars, the £112 chocolate advent calendar represents a significant markup.
Previous Pricing Criticism
This is not the first time the Duchess has faced criticism for the cost of her As Ever products, which centre on hosting parties. Her Signature Scent Collection, including four candles and the As Ever matchbox, retails for around £193, while The Cozy Duo set of two candles and a matchbox costs approximately £96.
The advent calendar's release comes amid ongoing commercial ventures by the Sussexes, who have previously faced scrutiny over the pricing of their lifestyle brand and its connection to their private lives, with images of their home used on the product's design.
