Meghan Markle has unveiled a new series of festive offerings through her As Ever lifestyle brand. The collection includes a high-end hostess basket and botanical sweets designed for the holiday season.
The $155 benchmark for the As Ever hostess basket
The centerpiece of the new holiday suite is a premium hostess basket, which features a leather As Ever tag stamped with gold lettering. According to the report, the basket is pre-filled with a variety of luxury goods, including lemon-ginger and mandarin-mint tea caddies, artisan spreads , floral sprinkles, and scented candles personally created by Meghan Markle.
While the specific retail price for this holiday version has not been released, the report notes that a similar "Go-To Hostess Gift" from the As Ever line is priced at $155 (approximately £117). this pricing suggests that Meghan Markle is intentionally targeting the high-end luxury segment of the gifting market, focusing on curated, aesthetic experiences rather than mass-market accessibility.
Compartes' three new botanical chocolate flavors
As part of the expansion, As Ever has partnered with the La-Jolla-based chocolate house Compartes to release a line of "Botanical Confections." This collaboration introduces three specific flavors to the flagship range: hibiscus-rose, lavender-honey, and ginger-lemon, with bars retailing for $12 or £9 each.
The partnership with Compartes has not been without critique. While the innovative ingredients have drawn praise, some food critics have described the inclusion of bee pollen and hemp hearts in the line as "off-putting." Despite this, the move signals Meghan Markle's strategy of leveraging established boutique brands to add immediate credibility and depth to the As Ever product ecosystem.
The timing of Buckingham Palace's own holiday hamper
The launch of the As Ever Holiday Collection arrives in the same week that Buckingham Palace released its own holiday hamper collection. This simultaneous release highlights a growing trend of "royal branding," where members and former members of the British Royal Family leverage their global name recognition to enter the luxury lifestyle and home-goods space.
By positioning As Ever against the traditional offerings of the Palace, Meghan Markle is carving out a distinct identity that blends traditional luxury with a more modern , "wellness-adjacent" aesthetic. This competition for the holiday gifting market reflects a broader shift in how the Duchess of Sussex is monetizing her public profile, moving from media production into tangible consumer retail.
The US-only restriction on the Double-Deck Parlour Card Set
The final addition to the Residence collection is the Double-Deck Parlour Card Set, a keepsake item featuring the stylized As Ever logo and miniature drawings. The Duchess of Sussex stated that these cards are intended to help users "create a spice-infused holiday," making them a target for family gatherings and game nights.
However, several details regarding the rollout remain unclear. As reported,the card set is currently available for pre-order exclusively in the United States, leaving international fans wondering when or if the product will expand globally. Furthermore, a promotional Instagram video showing Meghan Markle on a golf cart with the caption "Christmas planning in June" has left followers guessing about the location of the estate and whether more unannounced products are still to come.
Comments 0