Meghan Markle is expanding her As Ever lifestyle brand again – this time with her first-ever Holiday Collection, reportedly inspired by “the spirit of gifting and gatherings.” It follows April’s sell-out debut collection, and the controversial (yet also seemingly successful, much to her critics’ chagrin) wine launch in July.
But as always, anything the Duchess of Sussex, 44, touches sparks debate, with critics slamming the new collection, in particular the sky-high price points. Keep reading for more info…
Struggling With Sleep? This Rechargeable Sound Machine Is A Total Game-Changer
Meghan Markle Debuts First As Ever Holiday Collection
The As Ever Holiday Collection includes California-harvested honey, small-batch fruit spreads, mulling spice kits, a limited-edition sparkling wine from Napa Valley, and even edible flower sprinkles (yes, those infamous and controversial flower sprinkles from With Love, Meghan are back!) But the most talked-about item by far is a $64 candle inspired by Meghan's 2018 royal wedding to Prince Harry.
The hand-poured candle, made in California, is called 'Signature Candle No. 519,' which is a nod to the couple's wedding date: May 19th, 2018. It features notes of Moroccan mint and white tea. There's also 'Candle No. 084,' named after Meghan's August 4th birthday, in the collection, with sandalwood, lotus, and poppy notes. That also retails for $64.
The rest of the range includes a 2021 Vintage Napa Valley Brut ($89,) a Fruit Spread Gift Set ($42,) a Honey Duo Gift Set ($62,) and two seasonal mulling kits – Spiced Cider and Hot Toddy – priced at $16 each.
But it's the wedding-inspired candle that's really got people talking negatively on social media, with many naysayers deeming it extremely overpriced, pointing out that most candles cost just $5-10 to make.
Social Media Reactions
"I wouldn't pay $4 for it! I'm not ever going to financially support Markle in any way," slammed one critic on X. "In my circle, this would be given to my sister as a joke, for a spoof," quipped a second, as a third added: "Do not buy this [expletive.] Let it fail. That is a ridiculous amount of money for a candle and I do not care one fig whether it smells good or not."
"I'll help her out: 'Each candle smells of desperation, anger, with undernotes of sadness and irregular hygiene.' Hard pass," wrote a fourth disapproving X user, as a fifth said: "Once again, this female flounder totally misses the mark. Her brand is failure."
"I cannot fathom the markup. I think the price hike on the non-food stuffs is to offset the loss she clearly has suffered with the jams and alcohol not moving," thought a sixth, as a seventh said: "That's an insane price. I just bought one from Walmart for $5... probably smells so much better." "A bit much, it's completely ridiculous," agreed an eighth, as a ninth concurred: "She is ridiculous."
A tenth thought the price didn't have anything to do with it, adding: "It wouldn't matter if the price tag was one buck, no one will buy Meg's stuff." An eleventh hilariously referenced her infamous childhood letter to Procter & Gamble, writing: "Who doesn't want a $64 that smells like Meghan's rituals and memories? Does it smell like Dawn dish soap?"
