Meghan's $148 Chocolate Advent Calendar Sparks Backlash Over Pricing
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Meghan Markle, wife of Prince Harry, has launched a luxury chocolate advent calendar through her lifestyle brand As Ever, priced at $148, sparking controversy among British clergy who criticized the pricing as disconnected from Christmas values. Two Anglican priests who publicly questioned the cost became targets of online harassment from Meghan's supporters, forcing them to restrict their social media accounts. The backlash gained further momentum when Buckingham Palace released its own chocolate advent calendar for just £12, highlighting a nearly tenfold price gap.
Key Points
- Meghan Markle's As Ever brand launched a $148 chocolate advent calendar in collaboration with Los Angeles brand Compartés, containing 24 handcrafted chocolates
- Two British priests criticized the pricing, with Rev. Daniel French suggesting consumers buy an £5.99 charitable alternative instead
- Both priests faced online harassment from Meghan's supporters, being called the son of Satan and evil, forcing them to restrict account access
- Buckingham Palace released a £12 chocolate advent calendar through the Royal Collection Trust, making Meghan's version nearly 10 times more expensive
- Meghan's advent calendar has sold out in the United States, while the Royal Collection Trust version retails for approximately £100 less
Why It Matters
The controversy highlights how celebrity pricing decisions in lifestyle brands can quickly become cultural flashpoints, particularly when tied to public figures already under media scrutiny. The parallel with the Royal Collection Trust product has reignited debates about the Duchess of Sussex's relationship with the British royal family and whether such price comparisons will affect consumer perception of her business ventures .
The controversy highlights how celebrity pricing decisions in lifestyle brands can quickly become cultural flashpoints, particularly when tied to public figures already under media scrutiny. The parallel with the Royal Collection Trust product has reignited debates about the Duchess of Sussex's relationship with the British royal family and whether such price comparisons will affect consumer perception of her business ventures .