Meghan Markle's highly anticipated baby shower went down in New York City on Wednesday, February 20. Details about the gathering have slowly been trickling out, but now that it's finally happened, we know even more.
Before we get into it, though, one interesting thing to note is royal mothers-to-be typically don't have baby showers. Victoria Arbiter, a royals expert, told ABC News in 2013 such events would be seen as "highly inappropriate" because the royal family is "clearly very wealthy." "There's nothing they can't go out and buy themselves," she explained. (Except for a necklace that says "mommy"—that's a keepsake a friend would give you.)
But Markle's baby shower was different. The gathering was more of a way for her to reunite with close friends than to receive actual presents (though, obviously, there were some of those too).
Here's everything we know about the fun celebration:
It happened in New York City. Specifically at The Mark, a swanky uptown hotel. Very fitting for a duchess. The penthouse suite where the festivities went down reportedly costs $75,000 per night.
The guest list was stacked. Omid Scobie, an ABC News royals contributor, told Good Morning America 15 guests were slated to attend. "[Guests] include best pal Jessica Mulroney, actress and close pal Abigail Spencer has flown in, and Priyanka Chopra is supposed to be flying in especially for this from London Fashion Week," he said, adding, "It'll be a celebration with her closest friends." Amal Clooney and Gayle King were photographed arriving to Markle's shower as well. Other guests included NBC Cable Entertainment chairman Bonnie Hammer, good friend Markus Anderson, actress Janina Gavankar, designer Misha Nonoo, Markle's Northwestern University friends, and the gurus behind her royal wedding glam, Daniel Martin and Serge Normant.
Why this date. "The trip was planned some months ago and, with [an official trip to Morroco] this weekend, this is the last available time Meghan can travel before the Baby Sussex is born," Scobie tells Good Morning America. "Over the weekend she has been catching up with some of her closest friends, visiting favorite spots in the city, and even shopping for baby clothes."
A second baby shower is also happening in England. According to this tweet from Scobie. Her mother, Doria Ragland, wasn't at the New York shower but is expected to attend the one in London.
X content
Serena Williams was the host. The two had dinner the night before the baby shower. “Serena had made sure all the little things she liked were there: her favorite foods, flowers, and music. Everything was so thoughtful and tastefully done," a source tells Elle magazine.
Why Markle decided to have a baby shower in the first place. Remember, it's an uncommon ritual for royals. “As an American, she was very excited to have a baby shower thrown for her. I think she’d have felt she was missing out if she didn’t have one,” a source tells Vanity Fair. “It’s been such a fun time for her; she is with her oldest friends in the city she loves and really enjoying herself.”
The decor. Official photos probably won't come out from this super-private gathering, but paparazzi did catch pink roses being delivered to The Mark before Markle's arrival. Hello notes the orange, yellow, and pink hues to other flowers could be a nod to Markle's spring due date. Someone was also spotted carrying in an orange tree, which symbolizes prosperity, happiness, and luck—the perfect message for an expecting mother. Elle reports the music of choice was jazz. A harpist named Erin Hill, who's played solo at the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall, was also seen at The Mark.
The food and activities. Royals expert Carolyn Durand tweeted that Markle's guests ate cuisine from Michelin-star chef Jean Georges Vongerichten as they learned how to arrange flowers. People reports a cotton-candy machine was spotted being wheeled into The Mark Hotel too. According to Vanity Fair, Vongerichten also led a dessert-tasting experience during the festivities. Markle reportedly opted out of traditional baby shower games. Rather, it was an "elegant" and "sophisticated" gathering, according to Elle.
Serena Williams recruited Darcy Miller, a founding editor of Martha Stewart Weddings, to create treats for the event. "I was honored to help @serenawilliams with personalized sweets and details for Meghan Markle’s baby shower," Miller wrote on Instagram.
Instagram content
The gifts. Again, this information probably won't officially be released, but paparazzi did snap a Babyletto crib being delivered to The Mark. People reports Markle's guests may have received some presents as well: More than a dozen monogrammed suitcases from Away were seen being delivered to the shower on Wednesday morning.
