Meghan Markle Faces Sharp Backlash Over New As Ever Holiday Drop, Accused of Copying King Charles’s Highgrove Hampers
The Duchess of Sussex’s commercial rollout for her lifestyle label As Ever has triggered widespread criticism online, with royal commentators and consumers accusing Meghan Markle of directly copying the aesthetic and product catalog of King Charles III’s renowned Highgrove estate brand. The controversy flared following the official launch of “The Holiday Collection: Chapter One” under the promotional tagline “Merriment in the Making.”
The seasonal release introduces a curated hostess wicker basket containing two scented candles, three fruit preserves, three herbal tea blends, and edible floral sprinkles. Complementing the centerpiece are three specialty Compartés chocolate bars, a £112 architectural advent calendar inspired by her Montecito home, and “The Keepsake Double-Deck Parlour Card Set” packaged in gold-trimmed pale green casing.
Online critics swiftly highlighted striking parallels with the monarch’s seasonal retail operations:
-
The Highgrove Comparison: Commentators noted a stark contradiction between Meghan’s stated objective of promoting casual Californian living and her actual product selections—preserves, honey, garden botanicals, and wicker gift baskets—which heavily mirror Highgrove’s established English country estate identity.
-
Critiques of Brand Aesthetic: Social media reactions faulted the collection’s subdued visual palette, contrasting Highgrove’s vibrant, traditional festive hampers against what detractors described as As Ever’s predictable and monotonous beige presentation.
-
Skepticism Over Market Positioning: The inclusion of parlor playing cards drew particular amusement online, with users questioning the decision to rebrand everyday gaming decks as high-end luxury keepsakes.
Coming just over a month after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated back to the United Kingdom, the latest launch underscores the persistent scrutiny trailing Meghan’s commercial ventures as she navigates lifestyle branding alongside royal associations.