As Christmas nears, the festive season has sparked a intriguing royal showdown. Meghan Markle‘s $148 advent calendar has been met with surprising competition from Buckingham Palace. The news comes days after Markle expanded her lifestyle brand, As Ever, with the limited-edition holiday countdown box inspired by her Montecito home.
Meghan Markle’s $148 advent calendar faces competition from Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has entered the Advent calendar market with a product priced far below Meghan Markle’s $148 version.
As reported by the Daily Express, the calendar is available now from the Royal Collection Trust. It claims to “capture the magic of the festive season” across three royal residences, including Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Priced at only £12 ($15.87), the calendar offers 24 milk chocolates, the same count as Markle’s luxury edition.
The artwork for the royal chocolate Advent calendar shows a richly adorned Christmas tree finished with a crown ornament, accompanied by a pair of Union Jacks. The illustration also features ceremonial guards who “stand watch at these iconic locations.”
The Palace has also released an empty, fill-it-yourself version, which displays a winter illustration of its London residence on a white box. The design is fully customizable, allowing buyers to place their own treats behind each of the 24 doors.
As for the prices, the calendar itself begins at £25 ($33). The selection includes £5 chocolate coins from Buckingham Palace and £7 honey from Balmoral. Other options feature a £12 hand cream and a £43 bag charm.
Starting November 13, visitors can once again shop at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, as the Royal Collection Trust brings back its Christmas Shop. The gift shop’s official Instagram quickly followed the announcement with a sneak peek. It showcased new arrivals billed as “festive treats, thoughtful gifts, and decorations inspired by royal tradition.”
The Palace unveiled its official 2026 advent calendar just five days after Meghan Markle launched her As Ever holiday calendar. However, since the Duchess teased on October 2 that the brand’s customers have “a few surprises in store,” it will be interesting to see what else is coming.
