Meghan Markle Fans Hound British Priests, Forcing One Off Social Media In Heated Exchange Over Her Advent Calendar

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Meghan Markle‘s latest addition to her growing lifestyle business has created an unexpected debate that extends well beyond chocolates and Christmas gifts.

The Duchess of Sussex recently expanded her As Ever brand with an advent calendar, but not everyone was impressed by what was being sold or its price. A British clergyman then pointed shoppers toward a cheaper alternative.

The seemingly simple comparison quickly spiraled into an ugly online dispute involving Meghan Markle supporters and another priest who came to his defense.

A British Priest Tried To Direct People Away From Meghan Markle’s Pricey Advent Calendar

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The dispute began after Anglican priest Reverend Daniel French responded to Meghan’s £112 [$148] As Ever chocolate Advent calendar by suggesting a considerably cheaper option with a Christian focus.

“For £5.99 you can pre-order a Christian Advent Calendar with Fairtrade chocolate from the Meaningful Chocolate Company,” French wrote on X. He also highlighted that purchasing the alternative would provide a donation to “The Leprosy Mission.”

The calendar he recommended costs almost 20 times less than Meghan’s luxury offering and includes a “little booklet on the meaning of Christmas.”

His post did not directly tell people to boycott Meghan’s product. Instead, it presented his followers with another choice. However, comparing the two calendars, particularly their significant price difference, soon attracted the attention of the Duchess of Sussex’s supporters.

The Priest Is Facing Fierce Backlash From The Duchess’s Supporters

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French’s recommendation quickly triggered hostile responses from Meghan supporters. According to the Daily Mail, critics called the priest everything from “satan spawn” to a “disgrace to the cloth,” while others questioned his Christian values.

Father Chris Phillips subsequently supported his fellow clergyman on X and soon found himself drawn into the dispute. After seeing the reaction, Phillips wrote that he had “encountered the Sussex Squad on here.”

The criticism continued for about 24 hours, with French eventually restricting access to his account and blocking several users.

One critic wrote, “Both the Reverend Daniel French and Father Chris Phillips are sorry excuses for Christianity.” Another told French, “What an evil way of trying to garner Christmas support. God sees you.”

Amid the increasingly heated exchanges, French offered a far calmer response when one person said Meghan’s products had never disappointed them. His answer was simply “Enjoy.”

People defending the priests claimed they were “terrorized” by “deranged trolls,” per the Daily Mail.

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• The Duke and Duchess left Prince William “horrified” with their rumored Diana Move.
• Parents blast Harry and Meghan over warning sent to their kids’ new school.
• Prince William’s shocking 5-word verdict on Prince Harry and Meghan’s security issues.

Meghan Markle’s Advent Calendar Marks A Major New Launch For Her Brand

At the center of the dispute is As Ever’s first Advent calendar, created through Meghan’s collaboration with Los Angeles chocolatier Compartés. It is also her first major product release since she and her husband Prince Harry returned to the UK with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The “limited-edition” box takes inspiration from the Sussexes’ former Montecito home and garden. It contains 24 handmade chocolates, with flavors drawing from As Ever products, including strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and orange marmalade.

The personal touches extend to chocolates decorated with Meghan’s flower sprinkles and countdown numbers based on her own handwriting. As Ever said, the calendar combines Compartés’ craftsmanship with “the warmth that defines As Ever.”

The $148 product is available for pre-order through As Ever’s US website, with deliveries expected to begin in early November. The collaboration builds on the brands’ previous chocolate bars and gives Meghan’s lifestyle company a significant new product for the Christmas season.

As Ever’s Holiday Rollout Goes Beyond The Duchess’s Advent Calendar

The Advent calendar is not standing alone in As Ever’s Christmas plans. Meghan’s company is following it with “The Holiday Collection: Chapter One,” a larger seasonal range carrying the tagline “Merriment in the Making.”

According to The Independent, the collection includes a wicker hostess basket containing two scented candles, three jams, three herbal teas and a pot of flower sprinkles. Three new chocolate bar flavors, Ginger Lemon, Lavender Honey and Hibiscus Rose, are also part of the rollout.

As Ever is additionally introducing “The Keepsake Double-Deck Parlour Card Set,” featuring two decks of playing cards in a pale green box decorated with gold edging and the company’s palm tree and hummingbird logo. Prices for the new products had not yet been revealed.

Teasing what was coming on Instagram, the brand told followers, “The season of giving is almost here, and we have a few surprises in store…” The expanded collection shows that Meghan’s luxury calendar is serving as one part of a much broader holiday push for As Ever.

Despite The UK Return Of Meghan Markle, Her Lifestyle Brand Remains Focused On America

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Although Meghan lives in the UK again, As Ever’s commercial operation remains centered on the United States.

Its products currently ship throughout all 50 states but are unavailable for direct delivery to British or other international customers.

Sources speaking to OK! Magazine attributed that strategy partly to what they see as stronger commercial appeal for Meghan in America.

One source said “the decision to focus on the US market isn’t accidental,” claiming America provides the brand with a more engaged audience. The source also said that unlike the US, the reaction to Meghan in the UK is “far more mixed.”

A marketing expert similarly told the publication that “the UK simply isn’t a priority market for As Ever right now.” The expert pointed to differences in consumer tastes and strong competition from established celebrity brands as potential challenges if As Ever were to enter Britain.

That does not necessarily mean the US-only approach will be permanent. Another source claimed there is “genuine interest” from customers outside America and said As Ever is aware of the potential for international growth.

For now, however, the company is said to be concentrating on strengthening the market where its products have already gained traction before attempting a wider expansion.

The Meghan Markle Fans Hound British Priests, Forcing One Off Social Media In Heated Exchange Over Her Advent Calendar first appeared on The Blast