Meghan’s $148 Advent Calendar vs. the Palace’s $16 Version as Cotswolds Neighbors Complain

It’s Meghan Markle versus Buckingham Palace in the Christmas advent calendar wars. The Royal Collection Trust is selling a chocolate calendar for twelve pounds, while Meghan’s sold-out As Ever calendar was priced at $148. Meghan’s version features her Montecito home, hand-painted gold details and specialty chocolates, while the Palace version offers twenty-four chocolates behind scenes of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Holyroodhouse.A promotional photograph for Meghan’s calendar also sparked a bizarre online debate over whether she appeared to have six fingers. The explanation is considerably less exciting: HELLO! reports it was an optical illusion caused by overlapping fingers.Meghan is already expanding the As Ever Christmas collection with a hostess basket, playing cards and new Ginger Lemon, Lavender Honey and Hibiscus Rose chocolate bars. Critics have compared the new products with the King’s Highgrove range, accusing Meghan of moving her California lifestyle brand into familiar royal territory.Meanwhile, journalist Daisy McAndrew says a Cotswolds village WhatsApp group has been “alive and buzzing with complaints” involving Meghan, although she acknowledges that some of the stories are fourth- or fifth-hand. The complaints reportedly involve special treatment and security arrangements around Soho Farmhouse.Plus, reports claim Amazon’s interest in sponsoring Invictus could potentially lead to other projects involving Prince Harry, while two British clergymen reportedly received abusive messages after criticizing the price of Meghan’s advent calendar.Questions this episode answers: How much does Meghan Markle’s As Ever advent calendar cost? How much is Buckingham Palace’s advent calendar? What is inside Meghan’s Christmas calendar? Did Meghan appear to have six fingers in an As Ever photo? Is Meghan copying King Charles’s Highgrove products? What is in Meghan’s new Holiday Collection? Why are Cotswolds residents reportedly complaining about Meghan? Could Amazon work with Prince Harry beyond the Invictus Games? And why did two clergymen criticize Meghan’s advent calendar?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/palace-intrigue-harry-meghan-the-crown-royal-family-news-and-gossip--4522904/support.Palace Intrigue is a daily British royal family podcast covering King Charles, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and the House of Windsor. New episodes every day. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Part of the Caloroga Shark Media network.