Meghan Markle has entered the Christmas hamper market for the first time, this week launching a new 'hostess basket' with her As Ever brand...after Buckingham Palace unveiled its own hamper 2026 collection.

The Duchess of Sussex's 'Holiday Collection' basket has a leather As Ever tag with gold lettering and comes pre-filled with peppermint and lemon-and-ginger tea caddies, a trio of spreads, flower sprinkles and Meghan's scented candles.

While the price is yet to be announced, an earlier version of Meghan's hosting set, which contains many of the same products, costs $155 (£117), while the most affordable royal version, The Sweet Treats Hamper, retails for £70.

The latter includes chocolate chip shortbread biscuits from the royal household, clotted cream fudge, salted caramel chocolate, chocolate bars and a tin of hot chocolate. 

It is part of a collection of eight royal hampers, including an unfilled offering that starts at £45 and is completely customisable.

Meghan announced she is creating a festive range for her lifestyle business, As Ever last week, when she opened pre-orders for a £112 chocolate advent calendar that is only available to buy in the US.

It followed the release of Buckingham Palace's own advent calendars, including a milk chocolate box with 24 pieces like Meghan's offering that's £100 cheaper.

Other products in Meghan's 'Holiday Collection' include 'botanical confection' chocolates developed by Los Angeles brand Compartes as part of an 'ongoing collaboration' and two decks of 'parlour cards'.

The Duchess, 45, teased the first instalment of As Ever's Holiday Collection 'with pieces to share, savour, gift and make part of your own traditions' that will be available to buy later today in a newsletter to subscribers.

The price of 'The Hostess Basket' is not known, but a similar As Ever set - 'The Go-To Hostess Gift' which includes many of the same products - costs $155 (£117).

This is even more expensive than Meghan's advent calendar with Los Angeles luxury chocolate brand, Compartes, that costs $148 (£112).

She is also selling a trifecta of 'Botanical Confections' chocolate bars in floral flavours like Lavender Honey and Hibiscus Rose, as part of an 'ongoing collaboration between the two brands'.

Earlier versions of the As Ever x Compartes luxury chocolates cost $12 (£9) a bar, but many found the 'insane' and 'weird' ingredients like hemp hearts and bee pollen off-putting,

The final product in Meghan's Christmas collection is 'The Keepsake Double-Deck Parlour Card Set' with the As Ever logo.

The newsletter was titled 'Merriment in the making' and sent to customers yesterday evening. 

It read: 'The holidays have a way of reminding us how much joy can be found in the moments that make up a life. They invite us to gather a little closer, to make things with our hands, to set the table with care, and to give generously to the people we love. 

 'This season's collection was created in that same spirit, with pieces to share, savour, gift, and make part of your own traditions. 

'Mark your calendar: The Holiday Collection, Chapter One, opens on October 6th.'  

It comes after the Duchess opened pre-orders for her 'keepsake' chocolate advent calendar for customers in the US. Delivery is expected early next month. 

The calendar - 'inspired by her Montecito home and garden' - features a festive illustration of the £11million mansion she and Prince Harry called home for six years.

A press release declared 'every detail was considered with care, including countdown numbers hand-painted in Meghan's own penmanship using edible gold lustre'.

Flavours include strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and orange marmalade, plus what is described as a 'special chocolate finished with Meghan's own flower sprinkles'.

Compartés's dark chocolate ganache truffle also features in the calendar, with Meghan's writing said to turn 'each day's reveal into a small, personal moment'.

Ahead of the product launch, Meghan shared an Instagram video of her and Mr Grahm zooming around an unidentified estate on a golf cart.

The Duchess, who was behind the wheel, could be heard saying 'Hang on!' as Mr Grahm added 'Stay tuned!' and they enjoyed a laugh together.

The clip was set to Michael Bublé's hit Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) and captioned 'Christmas planning in June'.

Meghan also included early prints of the box's artwork and footage of her beloved black Labrador Pula carrying an As Ever plushie toy in her mouth while the duchess lovingly stroked her head.

The product is priced at $148 (£112) - or £100 cheaper than Buckingham Palace's version that includes 24 milk chocolates.

Weighing 95g and available on the Royal Collection Trust's website, the £12 product 'captures the magic of the festive season' at the three royal residences, including Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

The palace also recently unveiled an unfilled advent calendar, with prices starting at £25.

Going on sale this month, the white box features an illustration of Buckingham Palace in the winter and is entirely customisable, meaning customers can choose what goes behind each countdown number.

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

The design of the royal chocolate advent calendar includes a lavishly decorated Christmas tree with a crown topper, two Union flags and the ceremonial guardsmen who 'stand watch at these iconic locations'.

On September 28, the Royal Collection Trust announced its Christmas Shop will return to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace from November 13.

On October 2, a post on the gift shop's official Instagram page revealed several new launches, including 'festive treats, thoughtful gifts, and decorations inspired by royal tradition'.

Two days later, the duchess hinted at having a 'few surprises in store' for As Ever's customers after debuting the brand's first advent calendar.

A photo showed the duchess stirring a copper saucepan in a glamorous kitchen, fitted with a stainless steel cooker, oak cabinets and delicate ceramic dishes.

'The season of giving is almost here, and we have a few surprises in store,' read the post's caption, with no further details of the 'surprises' given to the account's 887,000 followers.

Her post was followed by yesterday's evening's newsletter, giving subscribers a first look at her Christmas offerings. 

Meanwhile, new additions at Buckingham Palace Shop this season include hand-finished tree decorations - including a corgi wearing a crown in a nod to the late Queen - as well as new hampers.

The Sweet Treats Hamper worth £70 includes 'a tempting selection of Buckingham Palace favourites' like chocolate chip shortbread cookies, clotted cream fudge and hot chocolate.

Also new this year is the Royal Festive Pantry range of fine foods such as mince pies, festive preserves and hot chocolate.