Meghan Markle Launches 'Hostess Basket' Amidst Festive Hamper Competition

Meghan Markle has entered the Christmas hamper market with the launch of her lifestyle brand As Ever's "Holiday Collection," which includes a new "Hostess Basket." This release comes shortly after Buckingham Palace unveiled its own 2026 collection of festive hampers.

The Duchess of Sussex's basket features a leather tag with gold lettering and contains a selection of items, including two types of herbal tea, three spreads, flower sprinkles, and scented candles. While the exact price for "The Hostess Basket" has not yet been announced, a similar As Ever set, "The Go-To Hostess Gift," which includes many of the same products, is priced at $155 (£117).

Meghan had previously announced a festive range for As Ever, opening pre-orders for a chocolate advent calendar, available exclusively in the U.S. This offering followed the release of Buckingham Palace's advent calendars, with the royal version being significantly less expensive.

Other items in Meghan's "Holiday Collection" include "Botanical Confections" chocolate bars, developed in collaboration with Los Angeles-based brand Compartes, in floral flavors such as Lavender Honey and Hibiscus Rose. Earlier iterations of these luxury chocolates were priced at $12 (£9) per bar and featured ingredients like hemp hearts and bee pollen. The collection also includes a "Keepsake Double-Deck Parlour Card Set" bearing the As Ever logo.

Buckingham Palace's festive offerings include the "Sweet Treats Hamper," which retails for £70 and contains chocolate chip shortbread biscuits, clotted cream fudge, salted caramel chocolate, chocolate bars, and hot chocolate. The Royal Collection Trust also offers a customizable, unfilled hamper starting at £45.

An advent calendar from Buckingham Palace, featuring 24 milk chocolates, is priced at £120. The Royal Collection Trust's advent calendar, weighing 95g, costs £12 and is described as capturing the magic of the festive season at royal residences. They also offer a customizable advent calendar starting at £25, with additional items like chocolate coins, honey, hand cream, and bag charms sold separately.

Meghan teased her upcoming holiday offerings in a newsletter to subscribers, titled "Merriment in the making," on October 5th. The newsletter stated that the "Holiday Collection, Chapter One, opens on October 6th." Earlier, on September 28th, the Royal Collection Trust announced its Christmas Shop would return to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace starting November 13th. On October 2nd, the gift shop's Instagram page revealed new launches, including festive treats and decorations inspired by royal tradition.