Serena Williams Is Hosting Meghan Markle's Baby Shower Today in New York
The Duchess of Sussex is said to be celebrating with an intimate baby shower on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Wednesday, February 20.
This will be the first of two baby showers that Markle will be having, the second will occur in the U.K. after her upcoming trip to Morocco.
Although Meghan Markle's New York trip came as a surprise to royal watchers, it's hardly a spur-of-the-moment visit. On Tuesday morning, royal reporter Omid Scobie revealed on Good Morning America that Meghan's stateside stay has been in the works for months, all centered on one very important occasion: the Duchess's baby shower. Here's everything we know about the event.
It's taking place in a $75,000-a-night penthouse suite.
The Tatler reports that Meghan's friend Serena Williams has booked-and will personally pay for-the Mark Hotel's over-the-top penthouse. The two-floor suite features five bedrooms, four fireplaces, six bathrooms, and two powder rooms.
According to Vanity Fair, Meghan arrived in New York in an equally extravagant way. The Duchess reportedly took a private jet, which is owned by Meghan's Toronto-based friend and lent to her as a present.
Meghan's pals have a day of flower arranging and high-end cuisine in store.
According to royal reporter Carolyn Durand, Meghan's baby shower is set to take place at the Mark Hotel. Serena Williams will host the event, which will reportedly feature a flower arranging class. Vanity Fair reports that there will also be a "desert-tasting experience," overseen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the celebrated head chef of the Mark Hotel's in-house restaurant.
Despite earlier reports that the shower would take place on Tuesday, numerous outlets including Vanity Fair, the Tatler, and others, are now reporting that the event is slated for Wednesday.
There will be 15-20 guests-many of whom you've heard of.
On Tuesday, Scobie dropped the names of a few invitees. "[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... It'll be a celebration with her closest friends."
Other since-confirmed guests include Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, Misha Nonoo, and Markus Anderson, among others.
There's a very practical reason why the shower is happening now.
"The trip was planned some months ago and, with [with an official trip to] Morroco this weekend, is the last available time Meghan can travel before the Baby Sussex is born," Scobie explained on Good Morning America.
While she's here, Meghan has been taking care of some other baby-related business.
The Sun reported that the Duchess was spotted at Bonpoint, a high-end children's clothing store, this past Saturday. Scobie confirmed on Good Morning America that "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."
This is actually the first of two planned baby showers.
"Today’s baby shower is the first of two, sources tell me," Scobie tweeted Tuesday morning, clarifying that there is "a smaller gathering scheduled for pals on [the U.K.] side of the pond after Morocco."
Today’s baby shower is the first of two, sources tell me.
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- Omid Scobie (@scobie) February 19, 2019
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