$148 for 24 Chocolates? Meghan Markle’s New Advent Calendar Sparks Internet Backlash
Meghan Markle is receiving a fresh round of criticism after launching her Advent Calendar this week for more than one reason.
This week, Meghan Markle launched her first-ever limited-edition Advent Calendar, and like most things she does, her newest drop instantly had the internet talking. But for reasons she may not particularly like. The main issue most people seemingly have is the blatant Montecito imagery stamped all over it, and unfortunately, that’s just the start of a long laundry list of critiques.
The Duchess of Sussex curated the striking royal blue Advent Calendar with Los Angeles-based chocolatier Compartes, following their collaboration earlier this year for Mother's Day. The holiday special drop features 24 “handcrafted chocolates in keepsake design” inspired by Markle’s Montecito mansion and garden, blending the strengths of both brands. To add to that, the countdown numbers on the box feature the skilled calligrapher’s own “personal penmanship, hand-painted in edible gold luster.”
While the assortment of sweet treats sounds undeniably delectable, the eye-watering price of $148 for 24 chocolates, however delicious they might be, felt a bit excessive to many customers. “It is a tiny bit out of my price range. Must have jewellery or perfume or jam or something in? No, no, just chocolates. A hundred and something dollar chocolates,” a social media user pointed out in a video.
Everyone loves a little bit of personalization in merchandise. However, having to open an Advent Calendar displaying a rendering of someone else’s home might not particularly be the Christmas spirit consumers hope to achieve in the holiday season. And that seems to be the main sticking point with As Ever’s drop, since the box features an illustration of the Sussexes’ private Montecito estate. “If, like, the Eiffel Tower released a branded advent calendar, I could understand it being of the Eiffel Tower. But your house isn't famous,” the social media user added. “It's a really weird, boring picture to have as your advent calendar.”
On the other hand, the Sussexes would certainly have a pleasant time opening the calendar each day in December as the family looks forward to spending their first Christmas in the UK since returning. The special launch will remind them of home and their memories in California. As the lifestyle brand noted, “Some of the sweetest parts of the season are the little surprises and the simple pleasure of having something special to look forward to.”
There is still a lot of uncertainty over whether the Sussexes would be invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the royal family. There are certainly painful rifts, but no better occasion than the holidays to reconcile.
