Meghan Markle Unveils First Advent Calendar Inspired by Montecito Garden

Meghan Markle has launched her first advent calendar, inspired by her "Montecito garden" and life in California. The new product is a collaboration between her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and chocolatier Jonathan Grahm of Compartes.

The calendar's design incorporates elements from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's former $14 million mansion in Montecito, where they lived for six years before returning to the UK with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Artwork on the box features the property's palm trees, which the couple felt were significant, and illustrations of the Duchess's chickens.

The 24 chocolates included in the calendar are described as drawing from "As Ever favourites," such as Meghan's strawberry and blackberry spreads, marmalade, and "Meghan's own flower sprinkles." The gold countdown numbers are printed in what is described as Meghan's handwriting, a feature she has previously used on As Ever products. The flavors are said to be inspired by "California's fresh bounty."

This advent calendar marks the second collaboration between Meghan and Compartes. Their previous joint venture included $12 chocolate bars flavored with Meghan's "signature ingredients." The advent calendar is priced at nearly $150 and is marketed as a "keepsake" intended to be "treasured long after" Christmas.

Meghan has continued to promote her lifestyle brand, As Ever, on Instagram since her return to the UK in August. The brand was launched in February. Ahead of the advent calendar's release, the Duchess shared hosting tips on the brand's Instagram account, which some social media users found to be stating the obvious. One comment on X read, "Today's revelation: prepare things before your guests arrive. Next week: put food on plates."

The Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020. Since then, they have pursued various projects, including Prince Harry's memoir "Spare" and their Netflix series. Meghan's eight-episode Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," was released in February and featured her cooking, baking, and entertaining.

Meghan announced the rebranding of her venture from "American Riviera Orchard" to "As Ever" in February, stating the previous name had limited her to locally produced goods. In addition to her business ventures, Meghan is reportedly looking to increase her involvement in charity work in the UK, with plans understood to include Smart Works, a charity supporting women seeking employment. She previously held four royal patronages, but Smart Works was the only one she continued after ceasing to be a working royal.