Meghan divides opinion as she launches £195 As Ever hamper and celebrates her brand's growth
From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026 · last updated 8 October 2026.
Reverend Daniel French (right) and Father Chris Phillips (left), who were labelled 'satan spawn' and 'evil' after directing followers to a charity advent calendar nearly 20 times cheaper than Meghan's offering.Meghan Markle's £112 luxury chocolate advent calendar, whose price prompted two Anglican priests to suggest a £5.99 Fairtrade alternative — triggering a torrent of abuse from online supporters.
Jeremy Kyle and royal commentator Dickie Arbiter tore into Meghan Markle on air, with Kyle calling her Netflix curtsy re-enactment her "most disgusting and lowest blow" — worse even than the Oprah racism claims. Arbiter branded the moment "revolting" and noted Harry looked visibly uncomfortable beside her. The attack came as Meghan launched a £195 wicker Pantry Basket as part of a new As Ever Holiday Collection on Instagram, declaring she "pinches herself" at the brand's growth.
Kyle's sharpest blow targeted Meghan's laughing reenactment of curtsying before the late Queen Elizabeth II in their Netflix documentary.
The holiday range also includes a £182 Parlour Basket, a £159 Hostess Basket and a £56 Treasures of the Orchard chocolate gift box.
Columnist Annabel Fenwick Elliott asked whether Meghan's £112 advent calendar — bearing an illustration of her own Montecito home — was secretly 'the work of a comic genius'.
