Buckingham Palace unveils new £25 unfilled advent calendar and £12 chocolate offering that's £100 cheaper than Meghan's luxury version

Buckingham Palace has revealed their advent calendars for 2026 - and the King's chocolate offering is £100 cheaper than Meghan Markle's luxurious version.Weighing 95g and available on the Royal Collection Trust's website, the product 'captures the magic of the festive season' at the three royal residences, including Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.Like the Duchess of Sussex's As Ever offering, the Palace's box has 24 chocolates but costs significantly less than the £112 'Montecito-inspired' version from Meghan's lifestyle brand.The Duchess' 'limited-edition' Christmas product, only available for purchase in the US, is pre-filled with treats from Los Angeles gourmet chocolatier Compartés.It features a sketch of the £11 million Californian mansion Meghan and Prince Harry called home for six years, as well as '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'.Meanwhile, the Palace also unveiled a new unfilled advent calendar, with prices starting at £25.Launching later 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. Meghan Markle's £112 chocolate advent calendar is a whopping £100 more expensive than Buckingham Palace's £12 version Like the Duchess of Sussex's 'Holiday Advent Calendar', the Palace's box has 24 chocolates but costs significantly less than the 'Montecito-inspired' offering from As EverThe 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. 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 Treat 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 like mince pies, festive preserves and hot chocolate, as per the Royal Collection Trust's press release. Meghan's new advent calendar has been created in collaboration with Compartes' creative director Jonathan Grahm. A press release declared 'every detail was considered with care, including countdown numbers hand-painted in Meghan's own penmanship using edible gold lustre'. The Palace has also unveiled a new unfilled advent calendar, with prices starting at £25Flavours 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'.The product is priced at $148 (£112) and is available to pre-order in the US on As Ever's website, with delivery from early next month.Meghan's business described this as the 'latest chapter in an ongoing collaboration between the two brands', after the $12 (£9) As Ever x Compartés chocolate bars.Ahead of the product launch, Meghan shared a video of her and Mr Grahm zooming around an unidentified estate on a golf cart on her Instagram Stories.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.READ MORE: Is this Meghan's new kitchen? Duchess showcases luxurious farmhouse-inspired room in As Ever promo with oak cabinets, stainless steel cooker and marble surfaces