Meghan Markle’s $148 Advent Calendar Fuels Sussex Squad ‘Terrorising’ Storm Targeting Two British Priests
Meghan Markle’s £112 Advent Calendar has sparked a social media spat between two British priests and the Sussex Squad. According to the Daily Mail, the supporters have been accused of “terrorising” the clergymen.
It all started when Rev. Daniel French, an Anglican priest and University of Greenwich Chaplain, pointed his X followers to a cheaper Christmas option. The Duchess of Sussex is selling the As Ever calendar for £112, or about $148. It contains 24 chocolates made with Los Angeles chocolatier Compartés.
French recommended an $8 Christian Advent Calendar from The Meaningful Chocolate Company. He wrote, “But for £5.99 you can pre order a Christian Advent Calendar with fairtrade chocolate from the Meaningful Chocolate Company. Donation is made to Leprosy Mission. Includes little booklet on the meaning of Christmas.”
The cheaper calendar includes Fairtrade chocolate, a Christmas story, and an activity booklet. It also supports the Leprosy Mission. French’s post soon drew replies from some of the Sussexes supporters, sometimes referred to as the ‘Sussex Squad.’
Critics called him “evil” and “satan spawn.” One user accused him of having an “ugly heart for a so-called Christian.” Then, Father Chris Phillips, a priest in southwest London, backed French on X. He wrote that he “encountered the Sussex Squad on here.”
The hostile online behavior directed at the two British clergymen by aggressive Sussex Squaddies is a toxic overreaction that highlights the worst of trolling by Meghan Markle fans. Reverend Daniel French and Father Chris Phillips merely pointed out a modest, charitable £5.99 alternative to Meghan Markle’s £112 advent calendar, yet they were swarmed with vile insults, including being labelled “satan spawn” and “demons” and were told they were awful for pointing out the difference. The sussex squad are completely and utterly unhinged. Swarming two community leaders with severe online harassment simply for discussing a cheaper, faith-based holiday option is completely unjustifiable. Forcing members of the clergy to lock their social media accounts to escape a torrent of nonsensical and overwhelming venom reflects a deeply unhealthy obsession by Meghan Markle’s toxic squad. #MeghanMarkle #SussexSquad #Meghanistheproblem https://t.co/AYPOu6hn6n
— TheOnlyDuchess (@TheOnlyDuchess6) October 6, 2026
That led to additional messages from readers. One critic accused the priests of using their platforms to attack Markle. Another called them “sorry excuses for Christianity.” Phillips reportedly later locked his account and blocked some Markle supporters. The comparison came as Markle continues to expand her As Ever lifestyle brand.
Her new holiday collection includes a $211 “Hostess Basket” with fruit spreads, herbal teas, scented candles and flower sprinkles. The $148 Advent Calendar has already been compared with the Royal Collection Trust Shop’s Christmas range.
The hampers feature items such as tea, shortbread, and chocolate. Harry and Markle are spending an extended period in Britain after returning from California in August. The couple remains non-working royals. This will also be their first Christmas in Britain since returning to the country.
However, they are reportedly “not on the same page” about where they want to spend Christmas. According to Closer, Markle wants to return to California around Thanksgiving and stay there through Christmas. Harry, meanwhile, reportedly wants the family to remain in Britain.
The source claimed that he “is very much against that” and wants them to “stay put at least until Spring.” The source said that “Harry hates the idea of leaving England over Christmas. It’s one of his favorite times of year and he worries that if they travel back to the U.S., it will look like they’re giving up and choosing to miss out on time with his father.”
“Meghan loves Thanksgiving and all the traditions, but Christmas at home with the kids is really special to her. She would like to be home for it,” the source added. The tipster continued, “Meghan truly doesn’t understand why taking a month back in America would be such a bad thing, so this is something she’s digging her heels in on.”
