OMG — did you guys get the invite to Meghan Markle’s baby shower? Um… no, we didn’t either. We guess we’ll just have to enjoy from afar. The Duchess of Sussex is hanging out in Manhattan today, February 19th, with friends who have put together a last-minute shower for the royal mom-to-be.
Deets on the day have been floating around the internet, and her five-day stay in NYC seems fit for a queen — ahem, duchess.
According to ABC News’ royal contributor Omid Scobie, “Today’s baby shower is a reunion of sorts for Meghan,” Scobie told the Good Morning America crew. “[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.”
And as Elle reports, designer Misha Nonoo is also expected to attend the shower.
Markle, who is reportedly due in April, arrived in Manhattan on February 15th.
She and Mulroney first hit up Ladurée bakery in SoHo where they treated themselves to macarons and tea.
The Duchess has also supposedly been shopping for baby clothes during her first trip back to NYC since marrying Prince Harry in May 2018.
Scobie reports that Markle’s NYC trip was booked several months ago.
This vacation, along with an official trip to Morocco next weekend, are the last two opportunities for Markle to travel before giving birth.
Meghan Markle steps out in New York for baby shower - report. More royal pregnancy coverage https://t.co/s4CkrPe7xp via @ReutersPictures pic.twitter.com/OUEvPxSwiQ
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 19, 2019
It looks like her besties couldn’t wait to see their royal gal pal.
Abigail Spencer, Markle’s former Suits costar, shared a snap on her Instagram Story of herself en route.
Several sources, including Just Jared, reported that Spencer toted a blue gift bag with her to today’s royal event. Does this mean we can expect a new royal baby boy come spring?
Meghan Markle’ former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer (Scottie) arrived at s baby shower with presents wrapped in blue. Has she wrecked the surprise? Is it a red herring? Are they messing with us? Am I overthinking this? (Yes) pic.twitter.com/JMBri8Qbxk
— Lucy Thackray (@LucyThack) February 19, 2019
Or do all these baby pink roses mean a girl is on the way? Who has theories?
#MeghanMarkle New York baby shower in PICTURES: Ring of Steel massed to protect Duchess https://t.co/Su79NHKv6b pic.twitter.com/dqbJFap9uE
— Daily Star (@dailystar) February 19, 2019
Jessica Mulroney, a Good Morning America style consultant, has been hanging out in Manhattan giving out makeovers for Valentine’s Day.
No travel necessary for Mulroney, who reportedly organized the shower for her BFF.
TODAY predicted tennis star Serena Williams and Suits actress Sarah Rafferty were also two of about 15 or 20 guests who received invites to the exclusive party.
Both women were invited to the royal wedding.
She may be expecting her first child in less than two months, but that didn’t stop Meghan Markle from making a surprise trip to New York to celebrate her baby shower with friends. pic.twitter.com/9ipwl3s5Bu
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 19, 2019
Priyanka Chopra Jonas posted a photo of herself on Instagram just hours ago and tagged herself in Beverly Hills, so we’re not too sure if she’s opting out of the party or just throwing us a red herring.
We can imagine Markle’s shower will be a social media-free event.
Then again, perhaps Chopra will be attending the second baby shower Markle is supposedly having.
Scobie tweeted earlier today that a second shower will be held for friends and family back in England after Markle and Harry’s Morocco trip.
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
The idea that Markle is having not one, but two showers is surprising to many who fully expected her to forgo the baby shower tradition all together.
In fact, back in July 2018, Harper’s Bazaar Australia reported that a baby shower is not a suitable event for a monarch to take part in.
Royal expert Victoria Arbiter explained to the Sun via Harper’s Bazaar Australia that because royals are “very wealthy,” a “lavish baby shower would be seen as highly inappropriate. There’s nothing they can’t go out and buy themselves.”
However, it seems that Markle is breaking tradition — and doing so twice.
But then again, this certainly isn’t the first time she’s prodded at the “royal rules.”
Now in the final weeks of her pregnancy, we wonder if Markle and Harry have decided on a name. Twitter certainly has a few ideas:
Meghan Markle better name that baby Diana even if it’s a boy!
— Pete Zias (@PeteZias) October 16, 2018
If Markle ends up giving birth to twins, this is really the only choice she has. Ahem — in our opinion, of course.
Now this would be an interesting turn of events for the royal family. Just think!
Listen, everyone has an opinion. Even if you say you don’t, you do.
UGH I 10000% do not care about this new royal baby AT ALL (except for what it’s name will be, how cute it is, Meghan Markle’s maternity coats, )
— Veda Scott (@itsvedatime) October 15, 2018
We hope Markle thoroughly enjoys her baby shower and has a relaxing stay in New York.
And it’s definitely not too late to invite us to that second baby shower.