Sales of charity's £6 Advent Calendar soar after Meghan's Sussex Squad fans turned on British priest for suggesting they buy it

Published: 15:37 BST, 8 October 2026 | Updated: 01:50 BST, 9 October 2026

A charity's £6 Advent calendar has benefited from a surge in sales after a backlash from Meghan Markle's 'Sussex Squad' supporters.

A British priest faced criticism online after publicising the charity gift in contrast to one promoted by the Duchess of Sussex for £112. 

There has now been an increase in donations going towards one of its beneficiaries, the charity The Leprosy Mission.

Its chief executive Amanda Norman told how there were 'hundreds of orders' coming in for what has been described as 'the real Advent calendar'.

She described how buyers were supporting 'people affected by leprosy, rather than waste money on expensive celebrity Advent calendars'. 

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and married to Prince Harry, unveiled the £112 ($148) gourmet chocolate calendar in an online advert at the weekend while wearing a reported £75,000 worth of clothing and jewellery. 

Anglican priest and London university chaplain the Rev Daniel French suggested that people could instead buy a £6 Christian advent calendar that is almost 20 times cheaper and contains Fairtrade chocolate.

The alternative he recommended also raises money for a leprosy charity and comes with a 'little booklet on the meaning of Christmas', he told his followers.

Meghan's has prompted a new chocolate Advent calendar costing £112 via her As Ever brand

Anglican priests Daniel French (left) and Chris Phillips (right) have faced online abuse with Father Phillips forced to lock his Twitter account after highlighting a £6 alternative

The vicars had suggested that people could buy this advent calendar from The Leprosy Mission - but it sparked a furious response from Meghan's fans

Sharing an image of Meghan alongside her As Ever product, Mr French wrote: 'For £5.99 you can pre-order a Christian Advent Calendar with Fairtrade chocolate from the Meaningful Chocolate Company. A donation is made to The Leprosy Mission.'

The calendar also comes with a 24-page Christmas story and activity booklet celebrating the birth of Christ.

But Mr French's post sparked a backlash from Meghan's supporters widely known as part of 'the Sussex Squad', who branded him 'satan spawn' and 'evil', while claiming he had an 'ugly heart for a so-called Christian'.

His Protestant colleague Father Chris Phillips – whose parish is in Benhilton, south-west London – backed him on X, prompting a fresh wave of angry responses.

He commented on how he had 'encountered the Sussex Squad on here', adding: 'Wow.'

Leprosy Mission CEO Ms Norman has now posted online: 'We were delighted to see Rev Daniel French champion the Real Advent Calendar and, most importantly, highlight the lives of people affected by leprosy.

'Whatever people may think about Advent calendars, Christmas is ultimately about generosity, compassion and remembering those who are often overlooked. That is exactly what Rev Daniel was seeking to highlight.

'We are grateful to Rev Daniel for raising the plight of people affected by leprosy at a time when it can be easy to focus on luxury and celebrity.'

After 24 hours of online abuse, including threats and defamatory suggestions about his character, Mr French locked his X account and blocked a number of pro-Meghan supporters.

One wrote: 'Why are you joining in and trolling a woman for selling an advent calendar? You must be a shining example of Christianity to your parishioners.'

Another said: 'Both the Reverend Daniel French and Father Chris Phillips are sorry excuses for Christianity.'

A third added: 'What an evil way of trying to garner Christmas support. God sees you.'

Reacting to his decision to block critics and lock his account, another Meghan fan said: 'These demons in church's clothing can't take half of the hate/bigotry they orchestrate toward Duchess Meghan. Fake Rev. Father Chris Phillips is a p***ya*sb***h. 

'They can dish it but can't take it, what does he do? Blocks and scamper away like the coward he is'.

Rev French did respond to one critic who had said: 'Undoubtedly Rev you’re not her target audience. Nah I’ll stick with chocolate I’m familiar with. Comparte chocolate is it. Duchess Meghan products never fail me yet.'