Meghan Markle's As Ever hampers spark copycat jibe after palace launch
The story centers on Meghan Markle's As Ever brand releasing three wicker gift baskets—Pantry, Parlour, and Hostess—shortly after Royal Collection Trust announced its own 2026 festive range. Online discussions on social media referenced a perceived similarity with royal Christmas hampers, but there is no evidence of direct copying. This explainer covers what happened, who it affects, and what to consider next.
What happened
Meghan Markle's brand As Ever introduced three new US-only gift baskets as part of its 2026 Holiday Collection. The baskets are named Pantry, Parlour, and Hostess and are described as wicker hampers. Shortly after, the Royal Collection Trust announced its own 2026 festive range, with Christmas products released online in early October. Online discussions, including Reddit comments, included a jibe that the As Ever baskets were “copycat, as ever.” There is no verified evidence in the available material that Meghan Markle’s team copied the royal hampers; the online chatter reflects opinion, not a proven fact.
Key facts to know
- The As Ever brand launched three wicker gift baskets as part of its 2026 holiday collection.
- Royal Collection Trust announced its own 2026 festive range shortly before or around the same period.
- Some online discussions framed the As Ever launch as a copycat move, using the phrase “Copycat, as ever.”
- The source material notes there is no evidence of copying in the provided text; no other independent verification is cited.
Who is affected
People following Meghan Markle's brand, fans of royal holiday products, and consumers comparing gift hampers may encounter online commentary. The discussion may influence perceptions about originality or brand alignment during the holiday season. There is no listed impact on product availability beyond typical shopping choices for the As Ever and Royal Collection Trust offerings.
Practical next steps
If you’re shopping for holiday hampers or gifts:
- Check official product pages for both As Ever and Royal Collection Trust to confirm what is available and where.
- Be aware that online opinions do not prove copying; look for direct comparisons or statements from the brands themselves.
- Consider different product features (contents, price, availability) rather than branding narratives when choosing gifts.
- If you follow brand news, subscribe to official channels for future announcements to avoid confusion during the holiday season.
Limits and questions
The cited material notes no concrete evidence of copying and relies on online commentary. Readers may want to verify with additional sources or statements from the brands involved to understand any factual connections or differences more clearly. Questions to consider: Are there official statements addressing similarities? How do the baskets’ contents and prices compare? Are there regional availability differences that affect US customers versus others?
Which sources did Setup in Bahrain review?
Setup in Bahrain reviewed the following source material before preparing this explanatory article.
The links remain visible so readers can inspect the evidence, compare dates and context, and confirm current requirements with the relevant authority.
- ibtimes.co.uk — evidence source reviewed for this article.
Information and responsibility notice: This article is general information based on the cited material available when published. It is not legal, tax, immigration, medical, financial, banking, or investment advice; it does not create a professional-client relationship; and it is not a guarantee of outcome, availability, accuracy, or eligibility. Rules, schedules, prices, and third-party information can change. Confirm material decisions with the relevant authority and an appropriately qualified adviser before acting.