Oprah Winfrey praises Meghan's pricey As Ever Christmas hampers

Oprah Winfrey has endorsed Meghan Markle’s As Ever hamper in her annual festive gift guide, calling it an appealing present for the holiday season. But shoppers hoping to follow the talk-show host’s recommendation will need to spend between $250 and $535.

The Duchess of Sussex’s hamper collection is the costliest part of her lifestyle brand’s holiday offering—a notable distinction given that As Ever’s chocolate advent calendar alone is priced at £112 ($148).

The new range of ready-to-gift wicker baskets launched last month, just days after Buckingham Palace introduced a similar selection of Christmas hampers.

However, Meghan’s hampers are considerably more expensive than Highgrove’s offerings. At the top end is The Library Basket, billed as “the perfect gift for a quiet evening at home,” with a striking price of £404 ($535).

Described as a “small wicker gift basket,” it contains a double-deck parlour card set, a leather notebook, bookmark, coaster set, two signature candles and a limited-edition As Ever matchbox. Customers can also add a bow at no extra cost.

Those looking for a more budget-friendly gift may also be disappointed by the Candle Lover’s Basket, which costs £309 ($410). The set includes three $64 candles, a $98 Two-Wick Holiday Candle and a limited-edition As Ever matchbox.

One of Meghan’s least expensive Christmas hampers, the As Ever Signature Basket, is priced at £188 ($250). It has nevertheless received a high-profile endorsement from her friend Oprah Winfrey.

The television presenter included the hamper in her annual 2026 holiday gift guide. Meghan’s six other hampers, priced between £159 and £404, did not make the list.

“Who doesn’t love a beautifully made picnic hamper?” Oprah Daily wrote in its post. “And this one from As Ever will surely bring delight and deliciousness. It’s filled with fruit spreads, chocolates, herbal teas and a candle—all curated by the Duchess herself.”

The Duchess of Sussex’s hampers are her most expensive collection, which is quite the feat considering her chocolate advent calendar alone is £112 ($148)

The Duchess of Sussex’s hampers are the most expensive part of her collection, an especially striking detail given that her chocolate advent calendar alone costs £112 ($148)

While one of Meghan's cheapest Christmas hampers, the As Ever 'Signature Basket' (pictured) still costs £188 ($250), it has had the public seal of approval from her close friend, Oprah Winfrey

The As Ever Signature Basket, one of Meghan’s more affordable Christmas hampers at £188 ($250), received a public endorsement from her close friend Oprah Winfrey

Meghan's collection is far from cheap. Leading the expensive offerings is 'The Library Basket' (pictured), which retails for an eye-watering £404 ($535)

Meghan’s collection is far from inexpensive. The Library Basket, shown here, is the priciest offering at £404 ($535)

The royal’s Christmas hamper range also includes several other products carrying substantial price tags. The Afternoon Tea Basket, for example, costs £247 ($328).

Marketed as “the perfect gift for leisurely afternoons,” it includes Herbal Peppermint Tea, Herbal Hibiscus Tea, Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea, a Honey Duo Gift Box, two spice kits, a Signature Fruit Spread Gift Box and a chocolate bar gift box.

The Pantry Basket is aimed at customers with a sweet tooth and is filled with “pantry staples” intended for sharing. It is priced at £195 ($259).

The basket contains a Signature Fruit Spread Gift Box, Honey Duo Gift Box, Flower Sprinkles, Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea, Herbal Hibiscus Tea, Herbal Peppermint Tea, a Hot Toddy Mulling Spice Kit and a Spiced Cider Mulling Spice Kit.

Listed at $242 (£148), The Parlour Basket is described as a “whimsical gift for anyone who relishes in a little friendly competition during the holiday season.”

Created for “an evening of games and gathering,” it includes playing cards, the As Ever x Compartés Botanical Confections Chocolate Bar Trio, a Hot Toddy Mulling Spice Kit, a Spiced Cider Mulling Spice Kit and Signature Candle No. 084.

The most affordable Christmas hamper in the collection is The Hostess Basket. Described as “the perfect gift for a holiday gathering,” it costs £159 ($211).

The wicker basket is marketed as an introduction to the As Ever brand and contains many of the same products found in another set, The Go-To Hostess Gift, which costs $155 (£117).

Meghan’s high-priced Christmas hampers stand in sharp contrast to several of the more affordable festive products sold by Buckingham Palace.

Highgrove’s most expensive Christmas hamper costs £475, but it contains 19 “carefully selected products to amaze and delight.” Several other hampers are also available for less than £100.

Meghan's first launch of Christmas hampers comes after the Duchess announced the festive range for As Ever last month, only available to purchase in the United States

Meghan’s first Christmas hamper collection follows the Duchess’s announcement last month of a festive As Ever range available only in the United States

Unfortunately, those hoping to save their pennies this festive season also won't have much luck with the 'Candle Lover's Basket', which costs £309 ($410). Inside, it contains five of the brand's candles alongside a limited-edition As Ever matchbox

The Candle Lover’s Basket costs £309 ($410), making it a difficult choice for shoppers hoping to keep spending down. It includes five of the brand’s candles and a limited-edition As Ever matchbox

The most affordable royal hamper, The Sweet Treats Hamper, costs £70 and includes Royal Household chocolate chip shortbread biscuits, clotted cream fudge, salted caramel chocolate, chocolate bars and a tin of hot chocolate.

The Highgrove Taster Christmas Hamper, filled with “the finest organic foods,” costs £85, while the Taste of Christmas Hamper is priced at £95.

New additions to the Buckingham Palace Shop this season include hand-finished Christmas tree decorations, among them a corgi wearing a crown as a tribute to the late Queen. The shop is also offering a Royal Festive Pantry range of fine foods.

The Palace’s King Chocolate advent calendar costs £12, weighs 95g and “captures the magic of the festive season” at three royal residences: Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Like Meghan’s £112 As Ever calendar, the Palace version contains 24 chocolates, but costs significantly less than the £112 Montecito-inspired calendar sold by her lifestyle brand.

The Duchess’s limited-edition Christmas calendar is available only in the United States and contains treats made by Los Angeles gourmet chocolatier Compartés.

Its design features a sketch of the £11 million California mansion where Meghan and Prince Harry lived for six years, along with countdown numbers “hand-painted in Meghan’s own penmanship using edible gold lustre.”

The flavours include strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and orange marmalade, as well as a “special chocolate finished with Meghan’s own flower sprinkles.”

Buckingham Palace has also introduced an unfilled advent calendar, with prices starting at £25. The white box features a winter illustration of Buckingham Palace and can be customised by shoppers.

The individual surprises are sold separately and include £5 Buckingham Palace chocolate coins, £7 honey from Balmoral, a £12 hand cream and a £43 bag charm.

Meghan's most expensive hamper – the 'Library Basket' – comes with a double-deck parlour card set, a leather notebook, bookmark, coaster set, two signature candles and a limited-edition As Ever Matchbox. An additional bow can also be added free of charge

Meghan’s most expensive hamper, The Library Basket, includes a double-deck parlour card set, leather notebook, bookmark, coaster set, two signature candles and a limited-edition As Ever matchbox. A decorative bow can be added free of charge

The duchess's pricey Christmas hamper collection is also in stark contrast to some of the more affordable products being sold by Buckingham Palace. The Sweet Treats Hamper, for instance, retails for £70 (pictured)

Meghan’s expensive Christmas hampers contrast with Buckingham Palace’s more accessible offerings, including the £70 Sweet Treats Hamper shown here

The Christmas hamper launch follows the Duchess’s announcement last month of As Ever’s festive range, which is available exclusively in the United States.

New products include a $130 heirloom handwoven rattan charger set and a blue-and-white porcelain teapot priced at $98, or approximately £73.

The collection also features the $98 Penny for Your Thoughts leather notebook, described on the As Ever website as “a simple luxury for everyday use and enjoyment.”

A Signature Two-Wick Holiday Candle, priced at $98, is another new addition.

Described as a “limited-edition scent of the holiday,” the candle has notes of pine, berry, cashmere and clove. As Ever recommends pairing it with Meghan’s $410 Candle Lover’s Basket.

Customers can also buy a $75 Trophy Chocolate Bar Gift Set containing five of the brand’s “beloved” chocolate bars. The limited-edition treats were created with Los Angeles-based Compartés, the chocolatier behind Meghan’s expensive advent calendar.

The range also includes Meghan’s curated popcorn medley, which is priced at $65.

Described on the As Ever website as a “luxury taste of nostalgia,” the popcorn comes in milk chocolate, white chocolate and salted varieties, topped with Meghan’s signature flower sprinkles.

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