Meghan Markle and pals celebrated the upcoming arrival of Baby Sussex in New York City style on February 20th. The Duchess of Sussex broke protocol and took part in a baby shower — the first of two reportedly happening before Baby Sussex’s birth (the second is supposedly happening across the pond). Of course, as besties are wont to do, Markle’s girlfriends went all out for the Duchess, and the cost of her Manhattan baby shower will probably send you over the edge.
According to Vanity Fair, tennis star Serena Williams organized the event, which took place at the five-star Mark Hotel in the Upper East Side.
Williams booked the two-story, $75,000 per night, penthouse suite, which features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two powder rooms, and Central Park views.
$75,000. Per. Night.
The cost of the penthouse plus decor, activities, and food provided by Michelin-starred celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, helped rack up a $200,000 bill that was reportedly covered by Markle’s gal pals.
Um — where can we find some friends like that?
The party was attended by several A-listers including Amal Clooney and Gayle King, along with Markle’s former Suits costar Abigail Spencer.
Other guests in attendance were Markle’s BFF Jennifer Mulroney, Soho House Global Membership Director Markus Anderson, NBC Cable Entertainment Chairman Bonnie Hammer, wellness guru Taryn Toomey, designer Misha Nonoo, and actress Janina Gavankar.
Sources confirm to @Scobie and I that Duchess Meghan’s baby shower will take place shortly at @TheMarkHotelNY. @SerenaWilliams, who helped organise the event, will take on hosting duties. pic.twitter.com/CMpgfim1RB
— Carolyn Durand (@CarolynDurand) February 20, 2019
Markle’s besties from Northwestern University also attended the pre-baby shindig.
The Duchess’ mother Doria Ragland was absent, but is supposedly slated to attend the second shower in London.
I mean, after seeing how the first shower went, who wouldn’t want to attend the second one?
Today’s baby shower is the first of two, sources tell me.
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) February 19, 2019
Around 20 of Meghan’s loved ones — incl Misha Nonoo, Jessica Mulroney and Abigail Spencer — will join her in NYC later this afternoon, with a smaller gathering scheduled for pals on this side of the pond after Morocco. pic.twitter.com/Ty0dHD4E6H
Harper’s Bazaar notes that Williams — with the help of Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events, who planned Williams’ 2017 wedding —reportedly set up a floral-arrangement lesson for Markle and her guests led by Lewis Miller.
However, sources noted to Elle that no other games or gender reveal festivities were planned for the event.
#DuchessMeghan ‘s closest friends — including @MishaNonoo, Markus Anderson, @AbigailSpencer, @Janina and her Northwestern pals — will feast on @jeangeorges cuisine and learn how to flower arrange before she flies back to the UK this evening pic.twitter.com/PdyPAaErIO
— Carolyn Durand (@CarolynDurand) February 20, 2019
Miller is an expert in floral arrangement and design. His work has been featured in runway shows, art installations, and numerous upscale weddings.
Markle’s friend and makeup artist Daniel Martin shared a pic of some of the goodies guests took home from the affair — expertly-decorated sugar cookies (free from gendered colors, we noticed). Too freaking cute.
The Duchess reportedly flew to New York on a private jet — a flight that Vanity Fair estimates to have cost around $100,000.
But the plane reportedly belongs to a friend of Markle’s who footed the bill for his mom-to-be pal.
Amal Clooney, Gayle King, Jessica Mulroney and Lindsay Roth are arriving for Meghan’s baby shower in New York! #meghanmarkle #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/scBbWnTame
— HELLO! (@hellomag) February 20, 2019
Baby showers are usually frowned upon by the crown due to the fact that they’re often lavish and show off the wealth of the monarchy.
However, because Markle has such great friends, she could celebrate without being concerned of the cost.
#AmalClooney arrived at #MeghanMarkle's baby shower in a 🔥🔥🔥 red jumpsuit. pic.twitter.com/1yTUlrRRpn
— InStyle (@InStyle) February 21, 2019
Before partying with the group, Markle and Spencer had a lunch date on Saturday, the 16th.
The pair reportedly dined at Ladurée in Soho.
Markle and her girlfriends also reportedly stopped by Bonpoint, a high-end children’s clothing store.
TBH, we’d wear most of Bonpoint’s clothing.
The Duchess is reportedly back in the U.K. as of today, February 21st.
She and Prince Harry will head to Morocco this coming weekend before hosting the London baby shower at some point next week.
Before leaving the U.S., Markle promoted Abigail Spencer’s new Sundance TV series Rectify by wearing a black baseball hat with the show’s logo embroidered on the front.
Friends supporting friends is what we’re all about.
Friends supporting friends. Duchess Meghan leaves @TheMarkHotelNY wearing a promo cap for @abigailspencer’s @SundanceTV series @Rectify. Next stop, London!✈️ pic.twitter.com/HuNOpVeynK
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) February 21, 2019
And honestly, maybe there was a hidden intention behind this whole royal baby shower.
That would be pretty hilarious.
If this whole weekend was an elaborate plot to get people to check out Rectify, which was a great show, I wouldn’t have a problem with that. 😂😂
— 𝕋ℍℝ𝕀𝕍𝔼 𝕆ℕ ℙ𝕌ℝℙ𝕆𝕊𝔼 (@freepeeper) February 21, 2019
As if seeing all her friends and enjoying a baby shower wasn’t great enough, Markle also made a surprise appearance in a Beyoncé Instagram.
“In honor of Black History Month, we bow down to one of our Melanated Monas,” Bey captioned her post. “Congrats on your pregnancy! We wish you so much joy.”
We. Are. Freaking. Out.
Markle has had an amazing week filled with friends, food, fabulousness, and Beyoncé.
We hope she had the best time in NYC and can’t wait to see what her U.K. baby shower has in store.
What a week for Meghan 👇🏻 https://t.co/uwCKBTXBGd
— Carolyn Durand (@CarolynDurand) February 20, 2019
But let’s be honest — can the royals really party like New Yorkers?
We guess we’ll have to wait and see.
