A priest has criticised Meghan Markle's luxury advent calendar, saying it lacks the true meaning of Christmas. Reverend Daniel French, a priest in Salcombe, took to social media to accuse the Duchess of forgetting the religious significance of the holiday.
Meghan's first advent calendar, released last week with her lifestyle brand As Ever, features 24 luxury chocolates made in collaboration with Los Angeles chocolatier Compartes. The calendar, which retails for £112 ($148 USD), includes an illustration of the Sussexes' Montecito mansion and comes with the words 'A magical celebration of the season' inside.
Priest offers cheaper alternative
In response to Meghan's announcement, Reverend French posted on X, offering a more affordable alternative. He wrote: "But for £5.99 you can pre order a Christian Advent Calendar with fairtrade chocolate from the Meaningful Chocolate Company. Donation is made to Leprosy Mission. Includes little booklet on the meaning of Christmas."
The priest's post was met with a flood of comments, with some critics branding him 'Satan spawn' and 'evil', and claiming he had an 'ugly heart'. His friend and colleague Father Chris Phillips, whose parish is in south-west London, defended French, which led to another wave of messages and eventually forced Father Phillips to set his social media account to private.
Royal Collection Trust releases its own calendar
Rev French did respond to one critic who defended Meghan's chocolate, simply replying: "Enjoy."
The priest's comments come as Buckingham Palace's Royal Collection Trust has also released its own advent calendar, priced at £12, featuring 24 days of milk chocolates. The design 'captures the magic of the festive season' with an illustration of a decorated Christmas tree paying homage to Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
