Duchess Meghan stepped out in Courrèges for her New York baby shower

Meghan Markle is see leaving the Met Breuer Museum ahead of her baby shower

Since I’m making the effort to ignore the British tabloids now that our “American princess” is on American soil, I really don’t know how the British media are handling the Duchess of Sussex’s trip to New York. My guess is “not well.” Meghan reportedly flew out of London last Friday, and she’s been spending all weekend and into this week with her girlfriends. On Tuesday, her friends threw her a big baby shower at The Mark.

Meghan got pap’d like crazy going into the baby shower and coming out. It wasn’t the first time she was photographed on this trip, but these were the clearest photos and she wasn’t hiding. I feel like the paparazzi really did just know where to go and where to position themselves. And that’s fine? She’s not hiding. She’s not doing anything shameful. Guests at the baby shower reportedly included Abigail Spencer (from Suits), Jessica Mulroney, maybe Mischa Nonoo. There were reports that Serena Williams would attend, and I doubted those reports, but Meghan stepped out with Serena later on Tuesday, so probably.

For this photographer-friendly outing, Meghan looked super-cute in a business-casual sort of way. She wore Hatch Maternity jeans, a vintage coat by Courrèges, and Carolina Herrera heels and tote. I actually love the vintage coat, it looks very “Meghan” and classic. Meghan looked great, and the time in America seems to have really agreed with her. Just wait until she pops that baby out and takes on ten new international charities and she travels to New York with regularity.

The royal baby countdown is officially on! The Duchess of Sussex looked radiant and beamed with happiness as she left The Mark hotel

Meghan Markle and Abigail Spencer leave the Surrey Hotel after lunch

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

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343 Responses to “Duchess Meghan stepped out in Courrèges for her New York baby shower”

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  1. sarah says:

    This is all so tacky.

    • FredsMother says:

      @Sarah..do you mean the attention-seeking you are doing here is tacky…?

      Because all I see is a glowing pregnant woman enjoying an evening out. And the baby shower is a lovely bonding ritual for many women.

      • manda says:

        @FredsMother…she probably has a problem with baby showers, which I just learned today are considered “tacky” by British people, even though, apparently, women in Britain are starting to have them….

      • Millennial says:

        Baby showers are considered tacky in the UK? I had no idea. They are pretty much an American staple for your first baby. Brunch and silly party games involving diapers and lots of aunts buying you onesies and blankets you didn’t ask for. It’s a thing.

      • Seraphina says:

        @Fredsmother, I believe the Brits consider baby showers tacky and more so since she is a Royal. While I understand this is an American custom and I think it is all very nice that her friends did this for her, I think she could have maybe given to a charity or to a home for moms who don’t have the resources many moms do, let alone MM has as a royal.

        She looked great and yes, the US does agree with her. It’s home 🙂

      • Anna S says:

        I’m a Texan living in the UK and I’ve been told by multiple people that they don’t have baby showers because they’re superstitious about giving a baby gifts before it’s born. I’ve not actually heard anyone say they were tacky in 7 years. But you definitely can’t get a “congrats you’re pregnant” card anywhere. Even at Hallmark UK. But things are changing – people are starting to have them now.

        Either way, Meghan looks so relaxed and happy and she has every right to have a great weekend with her girlfriends.

      • jan90067 says:

        Anna S, in Jewish tradition, esp. up till my Mom’s generation, baby showers *used* be held after the baby arrived, also for superstitious reasons (God forbid the baby wasn’t healthy, didn’t survive, and then the parents wouldn’t have to return home to a ready nursery… that kind of thing). Also, you wouldn’t know what sex to buy for (boy? girl? pink? blue?); that’s just the way it was.

        Now, a lot of Jewish people *willI* have baby showers. The grandmothers will tie a piece of red string to a slat in the crib “to prevent anyone giving the baby a “Kunahura” (liken it to warding off the “evil eye”) lol. Hey…you believe what you believe!

        My SIL and my sister both had showers. In my sister’s case, all the things were kept at my home until she gave birth, and then I brought them over to her house once the baby arrived, happy and healthy. After meeting my sweet nephew that morning, I brought the “important stuff” over to their place (diaper genie, diapers, onesies, blankets… stuff she’d need the first days), and the rest her husband helped me bring over the next couple of days. Worked out fine.

      • Coco says:

        Why does Meghan need to donate gifts from close friends to charity? Gifts can have sentimental value or be given with lots of thought. This wasn’t a Kardashian style shower for a third baby that always come across as a gift grab. It seems like it was a small gathering of close friends. We don’t even know if she received any gifts. Gift givers can spend a lot of time coming up with something meaningful. Unless it’s noted beforehand that gifts will be given to charity, I think that’s a weird concept

      • Hyacinth Bucket says:

        Kate had a baby shower and no one said a word. Clearly it’s not an issue for Royals to have baby showers.

        I’m British and baby showers are not considered tacky, just not that well known.

      • Ader says:

        Yes, Jan. Same life experience here. I grew up in a predominately Jewish neighborhood, and my husband is Jewish. Baby showers are not a thing we do. However, Meghan isn’t Jewish. Nor her family. So…..

        It’s a big deal for the Catholic and Protestant people in my life.

        My take: Let her do her thing. She needs some love right about now.

    • manda says:

      Why? Famous people have showers that are put into magazines? She’s visiting with friends. How can that be tacky? It’s not really her fault that people want to know what she’s doing. Is she supposed to go into hiding?

      • Riemc526 says:

        Just because it’s tacky in the UK doesn’t mean it’s tacky everywhere. It’s very common in America and other parts of the world, at least for firstborns, and she is American after all.

      • Kittycat says:

        @Sarah – Is that you William?

      • CHATNUH says:

        This post is in response to the one above from
        @Seraphina
        who said:
        February 20, 2019 at 8:32 am
        @Fredsmother………”While I understand this is an American custom and I think it is all very nice that her friends did this for her, I think she could have maybe given to a charity or to a home for moms who don’t have the resources many moms do, let alone MM has as a royal.

        FFS!!!!! HOW do you know this is not EXACTLY what the Duchess has done? I get so effing p!ssed when know-nothings seek to ‘tell’ others what ought and ought not to be done, when they have NO CLUE what the truth and reality is.

        In fact, it is more likely than not that one of the Duchess’s charities will be the beneficiary of this baby shower, given Meghan’s INHERENT consideration for others and her very ‘woke’ awareness of her new role and responsibilities as a Duchess.

        And FYI: it wasnt until i came to these threads abt baby showers and their “tackiness” a la some cultures in the uk that i realize that for some, it is not a norm.
        Theres a HUGE population of folks in the uk whose heritage is Caribbean, like myself and FFS baby showers and bridal showers ARE. THE. NORM.
        So yeah, it is def! a part of “british culture.”

      • Seraphina says:

        @ Chatnuh, dude relax. No we don’t know what she will or won’t do with her gifts. This site is a GOSSIP site and we do a great dral of assuming. Get a grip.

      • Heather says:

        No one knows if she’s getting any gifts beyond the personalized ones, like funny onesies or an engraved Christmas ornament, or something for mommy like her favorite body lotion or something. This might just be a girls weekend where they eat food, laugh, hang out and just generally unwind.

      • Mia says:

        when Kate had her baby shower did she give her gifts to charities, was her shower considered tacky? asking for a friend.

      • Skipper says:

        She could use the back entrance or garage instead of the front entrance . It’s not hard to avoid the paparazzi in NY if you want to

    • Sparkly says:

      Yes, a gathering of good friends on home turf after months of constant abuse, supporting a dear friend through a major, life-changing milestone…so tacky.

      • Ahoyoy says:

        I’m just dying over all of these budget duchesses pointing to another culture’s custom as ‘tacky’. She is an American, in America right now, celebrating a typical American tradition with American friends.

        Bless their cotton socks.

      • sequinedheart says:

        +1000000

        All I get from these photos & stories is she just had some much-needed girl time.

      • Milla says:

        Sparkly

        Normal people do not care about the trip, gifts, but why not be more private? Why not be more intimate ? Why leak everything?

        Meg wanted a babyshower, but this turned into royal tour.

      • Serpentinefire says:

        @Ahoyoy I am lol 😂 also, like WOW ain’t that some shiz😂😂😂😂😂

      • Serpentinefire says:

        @Milla

        So what

      • Sparkly says:

        Have you paid any attention to the stories about her in the press these last few months? That kind of abusive reporting is okay, but sharing good stories is taking it too far? Why won’t she just quietly take it and stop existing already, amirite?

        She can’t clap back at the British press with a statement, so her actions speak for her. She has friends and fans who love her and a whole other bit of press she can get along with and mutually benefit, and she’s happy to do it when they don’t go too far. I’d much rather hear a lovely, uplifting story like this. DailyMail, the Sharkles, and their ilk are tacky.

    • yiza says:

      I agree, sorry.

    • broodytrudy says:

      It certainly doesn’t sit well with me, but i haven’t gotten to the tacky stage. I don’t really think baby showers should be a thing for royalty, and it’s the gifts, not the party, that causes me to say that. I read somewhere royals are not allowed to accept gifts on various outings, and anything they receive is donated. Is that true? Does this shower involve gifts? I personally would put this in that same boat. Why fly to New York to have a shower? Why not have a sprinkle (and maybe this was and not being reported as such)? If you’re in NYC and have been complaining about the press for months, why get papped? Lots of celebrities live in NYC and manage to go about their business without being papped. People want to pretend she’s just another woman and should be allowed to have a shower and blah blah blablah, but she’s not. She’s now a royal and getting gifts (again, not sure if she did) just seems odd and in poor taste to me. Especially in the wake of Brexit and just the utter mess people are in financially.

      • Kara says:

        You really think royals shouldn’t even be allowed to get gifts from their FRIENDS? That’s what baby showers are. Are you really this dumb? Serena Williams didn’t go out and mug a British taxpayer to get her friend Meghan Markle a baby gift. Lord almighty this is getting stupid.

      • Snowflake says:

        Yes, Kara, this is really stupid. Those who are being harsh on her for having a baby shower obviously don’t like her and are just looking for a reason to pick at her

      • Ugh says:

        Kara- was it really necessary to call someone dumb?

      • Bella DuPont says:

        She’s not allowed to have gifts from her friends because……(wait for it)…….

        Brexit.

        😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

      • Jan90067 says:

        Would agree that on PROFESSIONAL TIME,yeah, no gifts that are personally kept. However, this is Meghan’s PERSONAL time, she is not “ON DUTY” on behalf of Queen and Country. She’s allowed to keep a gift that her friends give her. Whether or not she can afford it herself is besides the point.

        Personally, I didn’t know there was an income limit above which you’re not allowed to accept personal gifts on your own time. Maybe I shouldn’t have let my dad get me those gorgeous diamond earrings for my 50th birthday? Or accepted the plane ticket for the surprise trips my friends planned to take me away for that birthday? And yes, yes, “Royals are *different*”, but that is with corporate gifts, or businesses trying to curry favor….NOT PERSONAL FRIENDS.

      • Bella DuPont says:

        @ Broodytrudy

        Please don’t feel picked on, but relax a little you might be taking *royalty tings* a bit too seriously.

        Re gift giving…..a middle eastern prince gifted Princess Diana a suite of jewelry including a diamond and sapphire set (including necklace, earrings, watch, ring and bracelet), worth many millions. (I’m sure many people here know far more about this than me)….

        The world didn’t crumble. It won’t crumble because Serena Willams gives polo baby a tiny, diamond studded tennis rattle. 😉

      • Himmiefan says:

        We don’t even know that she’s getting gifts, and if so, these would be from personal friends, which I’m sure is allowed. At some point, the details are no one’s business. As for the paparazzi, Meghan is a hot news item right now. Things will cool off as time goes by.

      • Clare says:

        @BellaDupont I’m pretty sure QE was given a 22 century old gold necklace for her wedding by an Egyptian politician 😂 I think we’ll be ok if Meghan receives a few onesies

        But also – please don’t make light of Brexit – it’s potentially a matter of life and death for people…

      • Millennial says:

        I agree this is ridiculous. You are a royal, therefore your friends can’t gift you some cute onesies or baby toys they thought you’d appreciate? Yikes. Way to put a damper on the fun parade.

      • Bella DuPont says:

        @ Clara,

        I didn’t mean to make light of Brexit at all….I just found the train of thought rather absurd, that’s all….. Accept my deepest apologies. 😄😄

      • Sunnee says:

        Gifts from friends who are excited to buy something cute for your baby can never be tacky. OTH, I think setting up a registry to cull expensive gifts (when you yourself can buy them) seems greedy to me. Maybe Brits think that asking/demanding / expecting pricey items (a la Kardashian’s) through a registry is tacky. But as far as I know DoS hasn’t done that.

      • broodytrudy says:

        Hi Kara, judging by you resorting to name calling, you clearly didn’t understand my comment. I’ll elaborate since it’s early and maybe reading comprehension is not up to par.
        I personally, hence the word “personally” would be mortified if my friends, on a much lesser budget, got me an expensive gift. Are we really going to pretend that Meg is getting plain white onesies? Spare me. I didn’t state she shouldn’t receive gifts, and i didn’t state she shouldn’t have a party. I realize these don’t go hand in hand with the narrative you’re trying to drive, but that’s the truth. I offered other solutions to this situation and provided my reasoning. If i were the pr person, i would never allow my client, who is being slaughtered daily by the british media, to publicly fly to nyc and have a large security following paid by taxpayers currently under severe financial and political strain, for a baby shower. Harry visited toronto multiple times under the radar to see Meg and this should have been handled the same, private way. It clearly was not.
        To those who answered my question about royal protocol on gifts, thank you! I didn’t realize there had been gifts given before. I had read no gifts, full stop.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Harry was caught early on with the trips to Toronto, which may be why she was the one doing the flying more frequently. He was able to pick her up at the airport in the UK without people knowing.

        As for this? It was being handled quietly. She flew to NYC without the public finding out, was staying at a friend’s house. It wasn’t until a waitress at a restaurant sold her location to Page Six that the story came out.

      • GreenQueen says:

        Just a tacky American here chiming in.The duchess is allowed to visit her f*ing home and celebrate her half-American baby with her friends. Her American friends knitting blankets for her baby has nothing to do with your racism and inability to balance a budget or make fiscally-sound choices.

        Don’t you have bigger fish to fry? I seem to remember that half the MPs are suspected/known pedophiles? Prince Andrew has enough trouble of his own, no? Maybe you should focus on the larger crimes against the crown rather than the provenance of some knitted hats for a baby. Just a thought.

      • Malak says:

        @broodytrudy
        I’ve read the same thing, that they’re not allowed to keep gifts. All gifts from outsiders are given away/donated, I guess to charities, people in hospitals, etc.

      • Natters5 says:

        How do you think Queen Elizabeth has the most incredible jewelry collection in the world? It is all practically gifted to her or her ancestors.

    • Anna says:

      Agree with @HyacinthBucket and others defending Meghan and the shower. The only difference between her and Kate is the shade of the bride (and even then, not so much)…Careful your racism doesn’t show @sarah

      • Ahoyoy says:

        This. The racists are out in full force.

        And, ladies, for those of you calling this party tacky, I eagerly await your qualifications for determining such. Maybe a miss manners column? Oh, wait, that’s right, judging someone’s poor manners is the number one no no of etiquette. Silly me.

    • girl_ninja says:

      Oh Samantha chill, you never would have been invited.

    • MoxyLady says:

      I really wish people thought racism was tacky. Instead of you know …. perfectly acceptable.
      Racism doesn’t exist? Ok. White person, would you want to wake up black tomorrow? Whoa. Knee jerk reaction right? Yeah. It’s because you KNOW racism is real. It’s not because you just looooove who you are so much. You can still be you. Nothing would change color blind Carol. You just have black skin. Which you wouldn’t even notice! Because you are color blind!

    • Lorelei says:

      @Sarah, a waitress called the NY Post and sold her out. The press and photographers knew where she was and it was only a matter of time.

      So what exactly do you think she should have done differently? Stayed inside for the remainder of her trip? Canceled all of her plans with her friends? Not gone to eat at any restaurants? Just so people like you wouldn’t have to see a few photos of her walking to and from her car?

      I’m not trying to be snarky, but I genuinely don’t understand the criticism here. She was simply spending a few days with her girlfriends. It isn’t her fault the paparazzi showed up and it also isn’t her fault if her FRIENDS planned a party that some people think is “over the top” or tacky.

    • LahdidahBaby says:

      I honestly don’t understand the crit—Meghan is a first-time mum living in a country not of her birth. suddenly in the world’s eye and the object of intense scrutiny, criticism, gossip, and family abuse. Her friends want to give her a shower, but she should have refused it and stayed home worrying about more important matters such as continental drift?

      Okay. My bad. I thought she was still a human being.

    • Rhys says:

      So, how come Kate wasn’t invited?

    • Cam123 says:

      I agree, it IS tacky. This website is getting on my nerves that one cannot ever give their opinion, if not positive, of Markle without ppl jumping down their throats. I’ve definitely been coming here less often with the eye rolling butt kissing of Markle & obvious dislike of Kate.

      P.S. Not everyone who doesn’t care for Meghan is a racist too, some of us just think she’s a major phony & fame seeker. Geez.

      • yep says:

        Well stated.
        Some people here get a pass no matter what. One of them is MM.
        I personally think this is a bad PR move.

      • Christina says:

        Criticism of MM and Kate seems odd to me because, as I see it, they haven’t done anything wrong. They are women living in fishbowls. None of us really know them. They both strike me as sincere and working to cope. Liking or disliking what they wear is ok, but how can any of us know if they are “fake”? Is Megan fake because she enjoys people? Is Kate “real” because she seems more interested in her immediate family than in other people? Can’t they be different because one grew up with a close family and the other had her mother and made a family of friends likely out of necessity? Anyhow, everyone here doesn’t hate Kate. I like her.

  2. Cidy says:

    She looks good and in her element here. Love the coat, love the little smile! She looks good here, welcome back to the States Meg!

    • Bella DuPont says:

      Deleted

    • Olenna says:

      Love the coat, too. I went to the William Vintage site to check out some of its other pieces and, of course, they have a picture of her wearing it. Not gonna fault them for “advertising”. It looks great on her.

    • minx says:

      She looks cute, love the whole look.

    • 90sgirl says:

      Love Meghan she looks GREAT, Glowing, Happy.
      Hope she is enjoying her shower and time with her friiends.
      She is on to Morrocco visit next with Harry at request of The Queen.

      Meghan rocks,

    • Tigerlily says:

      Agree. Love the coat

    • KK2 says:

      Haha I thought the same. She looks very happy and relaxed on American soil. Not that I blame her. Definitely a friendlier crowd and press. She’s also probably been a bit homesick.

      I don’t understand short sleeve coats or whatever this is but she looks gorgeous in it.

  3. Shilohray says:

    New York City is not the place a person that is seeking privacy goes to. She stayed at a fancy hotel in the middle of town, why not hire a private property or stay with one of her rich & powerful friends? Press barriers were put up outside her hotel to allow photographers access to take snaps of her exiting the hotel with sunglasses on whilst smiling. How very Hollywood! Make no mistake this NYC trip was a carefully planned publicity stunt. If you don’t think so, a friend of Meghan’s spoke to the journalist Omid Scobie & provided him with personal information about the trip including a 2nd baby shower being planned in the UK. Omid has a source within the Meghan camp & he seems to get a lot of personal scoops.

    • cannibell says:

      Given the fact that she’s news and paparazzi is going to be stalking her family for the rest of her life, it’s no surprise that she and her husband would be strategic about doing what they can to control the narrative. No shade for Family Sussex on this front.

    • FredsMother says:

      Why should she hide and stay at dodgy hidden hotels to please her critics, the jealous shrews, racists and Internet weirdos?

      Her life must be lived in secret so as not to upset a few nutcases? Plenty people enjoyed a glimpse at her. This type of publicity helps her charity work too. High profile brings donations.

      • Anna says:

        Exactly. She is a world-known figure now. Would they say the same about any other person in her position? No. This is all shades of racism. Seriously. People will hide behind any little b.s. concocted to try to mask their true ugliness…

      • yep says:

        @ Anna
        “Would they say the same about any other person in her position? No. This is all shades of racism.”
        In fact Diana received a far worse treatment. And, to be honest, I regret having to put Diana and MM in the same sentence.

    • Anitas says:

      A celebrity doing the same thing would be accused of being on a pap stroll. I don’t begrudge her that, the royals all live off publicity, but it’s ridiculous to pretend she’s there just minding her own business and the paps happened to find her.

    • Natalie S says:

      Genuine question. Are the critics starting from the assumption that she should hide from the press as much as possible when she’s not working?

      All the royals try to manage their public image. The senior royals get press attention no matter what so they try to control the stories. Meghan seem to be making a statement that she’s not going to hide away and is that automatically a bad thing?

      • Bella DuPont says:

        @ Natalie:

        “Are the critics starting from the assumption that she should hide from the press as much as possible when she’s not working?”

        Yes. They (critics + press) expect her to hide away as much as humanly possible. Enough for them to enjoy the sweet relief of forgetting that she exists. 🙂

      • yep says:

        “The senior royals get press attention no matter what so they try to control the stories.”
        Right. And what is exactly MM trying to channel with this trip? The image of a down-to-earth humanitarian? A feminist? A self-made hard working woman? A breath of fresh air in the middle of the pretentious aristocracy she married into? And is she controlling the stories by spending a fortune, parading in a number of outfits and forcing British and US Security Services to deploy a number of officers only to have a party with a bunch of celebs?
        This is ridiculous.

    • Becks1 says:

      @Nic919 said yesterday that Omid Scobie has said that he was aware she was in NYC (so presumably he does have a source) but was going to hold off on the story until she was back in London, but then Page 6 released the info, and that was when the hotel had to set up barriers etc.

      that makes sense to me. Omid was given some insider information and in return, he was going to wait to publish that information until after she had left, but once the news leaked then he lost his scoop.

    • Bluecanyon says:

      Fair play to her but I disagree with people that say this was all incidental. We always drag the Middletons for staging publicity stunts and I think we need to be fair and admit that this also reeks of publicity stunt. She did not look like a woman who was being hounded by the press or caught off guard. This does look like a woman who is revelling in the attention. Finally getting the Hollywood treatment she’s always wanted!

      • liriel says:

        Agreed.

      • Beatrice says:

        Agree! For anyone else, this would be described as a weekend of pap strolls.

      • Jan90067 says:

        So what you’re saying is, unless she looks like she’s being chased, you know, “hunted prey”, like her late mother in law, then it’s all “staged for Hollywood type” hype.

        Wow, you are a piece of work. Bet you’d’ve been in one of those cars in the Paris tunnel chasing down Diana.

      • Lala11_7 says:

        The Heyll? She’s married to Prince Harry! She’s an actress…being in the public eye…IS HER JOB…She looks like a woman who is happily married and pregnant with her first child…a woman whose charitable endeavors…endeavors that she have showcased TO THE WORLD…since she was a child…can be maximized to help the most people…so yea…she reveling in her good fortune…and she knows that she’s fortunate…

        Hollywood treatment…well, yea…that’s what happens when you’re a STAR!

      • Olenna says:

        To me, she looks like a woman who has a competent security detail that knows how to prepare for any situation, from overzealous paps to real human threats. The average person (not invested with personal feelings about her) wouldn’t even question what it is about this scenario that her team should handle any differently with that kind of media attention. All of those idiots shouting at her, wanting to the know the baby’s sex, might give one a small clue.

      • Bella DuPont says:

        After I saw some comments yesterday (like the op’s) that said: “It’s clear she’s basking in the attention….”

        I went and took a look at the pictures as well and honestly, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking:

        Bask away….ma chérie!!! Bask away to your hearts content!💃🏽🎉💃🏽

        Because first of all, she looked f-king amazing.

        Secondly, after the absolute roasting the poor thing got from the British tabloids over the last few months, I don’t blame her one bit. It must be like standing under a wonderful, invigorating, warm shower after running in icy, freezing temperatures with gale force winds for the last few months.

        Enjoy your time in the sun, Meghan, before you have to return to the spiteful UK press with their pointy spears and pitchforks.

      • ProfPlum says:

        Why does it have to be staged? Have you been to NYC? It’s pretty small. Once it was revealed that she was in town and staying on the UES, I concluded that there were only two hotels she could be staying in (based on my assumption that she wasn’t likely to stay in a chain hotel). I figured it was either the Mark or the Surrey. I imagine that enterprising paps could have figured it out too. As for dinner, anyone working at the Polo Bar could have tipped off the paps that there was more activity than usual that night….

      • windyriver says:

        It’s amazing actually that she had three days of privacy. She was clearly trying to avoid notice in the DM picture. I’ve always assumed an outfit like Page Six has informants in the hotels and trendy restaurants, and I’m sure they’re not the only ones who have an “arrangement” with staff members in various places. She’s been the hot get for two years, and is now a seven months pregnant bi-racial woman about to give birth to the queen’s great grandchild. Let’s not pretend she’s just another celebrity who could blend in, in NYC.

        Once her presence was outed, she set up a photo op so the press could get the pictures they needed. Maybe hoped it would take pressure from the paps away from the hotel or anyplace she went with her friends. A commenter, in the business, has said the photogs love her because she gives them the smile, lets them do their job. It was part of her job as an actress, and it’s still part of her job as a royal patron, and generally hasn’t seemed to bother her – even though this was a private visit. The “hounding” is from the constant racist, misogynist, classist articles often written to go with the photos, about her nail polish, her stockings, where her hands are, or her useless family.

      • LivePlantsCleanAir says:

        @windyriver ~ everything you say strikes truth and you’ve said it with so much more clarity and less frustration than I ever could. Thank you! She was outed! If she hadn’t of been, would we even have know she was in the U.S. before Morocco? Eh?

    • Chloe says:

      Since Omid is one of maybe three or four paps that don’t treat her like garbage, I’m okay with any scoop he gets over them.

      Some horrible person claiming to be a RR yelled at her yesterday, calling her a “counterfeit Countess” or some such nonsense.

      • Natalie S says:

        The only real Countess in NY is Countess Luann!

      • Britt says:

        It was someone from the Megxit group. They are literally stalking her. Apparently, someone went to her Mayhew engagement and wanted to rip her “fake bump off”. All of this because she married Harry and she’s biracial.

      • Wow, Britt! I hadn’t heard that. Some people really need help, or a hobby.

      • notasugarhere says:

        I hope the security people are well aware of those tumblr queen’s real identities. They are threatening bodily harm to her and getting physically very close.

      • Natalie S says:

        Yikes, that sounds horrible. I didn’t think it was an organized thing like that.

      • Mia says:

        some have Megexit on their twitter page. It seems like it’s more for her than against her.

    • Dueberrygal says:

      Similar to her friends speaking to People mag, I’m not sure I understand the logic of Meghan’s current PR approach. She seems to be fighting fire with fire, however that approach didn’t turn out too well for Diana.

      • Bella DuPont says:

        @ Dueberrygirl

        I understand your point, but you also have to look at the details of what’s happened so far. These people are bullies, plain and simple: The Markles, piers Morgan, the gutter tabloids……bullies don’t let up if you don’t respond. It just emboldens them. They don’t get bored, they escalate their attacks.

        Think about the markles, every week, they come out with bolder stunts, bigger lies, harsher insults.

        Piers Morgan sounds angrier and more disparaging each week….he’s all but called her a whore at this point.

        They need a different approach. The “dignified, helpless victim’ one was just not cutting it.

    • bonobochick says:

      Actually, you can be in NYC and go unnoticed. There are several million people in a small area. There are also many celebs and actors who live in NYC who go about life normally.

      Also, if she is at The Mark, that is not in the middle of the city, it is in the Upper East Side, which is relatively quiet compared to midtown or downtown.

      • liriel says:

        This!

      • Muffy says:

        The Mark is in the East 70’s. It’s plenty busy. She’s not staying in a hotel in Staten Island, she’s next to some of the most high-end shops and restaurants in the entire city.

        I don’t have strong feelings about a baby shower or meeting up with her friends but let’s not play pretend. The upper east side is just as busy as midtown—and probably busier at night.

      • bonobochick says:

        @Muffy. I live in the Upper East Side a few minutes from the Mark. There are a lot of high end shops somewhat near by though mostly south of the hotel – and a lot of vacancies on Madison Ave regarding those high end shops too. I know exactly where The Mark is and it’s not in a busy area. It’s a lot of pricey homes / apartments, not office buildings. The only time that area gets lively is around the Met Gala time since a lot of celebs stay there since it’s close to The Met. Let’s not pretend staying in the Upper East Side is the same as staying at a grand hotel on Central Park South, Soho, Tribeca or even Times Square / Bryant Park / GCT area.

      • LivePlantsCleanAir says:

        SHE WAS OUTED. For THREE days NO ONE knew she was here. Geez can’t we give her even the smallest, tiniest of breaks???????

      • Muffy says:

        Bonobo, I’m fully aware of where the hotel is. Right near the Carlyle, Lady M. and Vera Wang. It’s more residential than midtown, sure, but it’s not quiet.

        There are retail vacancies all over the city, but the east side will always be old money.

    • Snowflake says:

      Good, I’m glad they did. See, mean fake Meghan has real friends. People that know her who think she’s great. Idk what your problem with her is.

      • yep says:

        Right, sure. Real friends. Those who know who she really is. How many of these “real friends” have been around for – let’s say – a decade?

    • Sassbr says:

      Actually, NYC is a great place for a celeb to go disappear-it’s the great divider between NY and LA celebs, people tend to leave celebs alone on the street in NY, whereas you get pap’d way way more in LA. NY is considered way more private.

    • Hershey says:

      Huge press barriers in place, the images of her smiling as an adoring press clamor will not go down well at all outside the US.

      She deserves a shower with her friends, of course she does. But why the heck not have in the manner of her bridal shower?

      Days worth photos of celebrity ins and outs lavish flowers, huge security detail, secret service, will hurt her big time.

      I’m very neutral, I dont know her. But she is making huge errors that will hurt her ability to be a working royal.

      She’s probably very hurt by the british media, by her family, and unaware of how different Britain is from her home country. I have enormous sympathy for her situation.

      But she is not helping herself. This huge public display will enrage the royal family and their offices. They weren’t happy when Diana did this stuff.

      Again, she could have had a private shower like her bridal event. Instead there is an ocean of photos of her in wildly expensive restaurants and hotel. Dressed like an American celebrity. Unless that’s what she wants to be again, she needs to stop these displays.

      I’m not a meghan hater by any means. I think she making mistakes.

      • Becks1 says:

        How….is she dressed like an American celebrity? what an odd criticism.

        According to Omid Scobie, she was there and then Page 6 found out and THAT was when the pictures and stuff started. Its obvious that these photos were set up to protect her – the DM ran some yesterday that were clearly pap photos, not wanted, etc. so once her hotel was leaked, the press camped out and that was when the barriers and stuff were set up.

        If this whole weekend was about photo ops, we would have known she was there days ago.

      • jan90067 says:

        How is wearing a (repeat) black coat and maternity jeans “dressing like an “American celebrity””??

        OMG do any of you get treatment for the muscle strains you must suffer reaching like that??

      • broodytrudy says:

        Great comment, Hershey. You said what i was trying to above, in a much more eloquent manner. This is a pr mistake for sure, and it never should have been allowed to happen on this scale. She needs new people.

      • Mich says:

        Oh. Please. She is literally seen for about five seconds each time walking to get into a car. And the smiles have largely been because she is walking with and talking to friends.

        Such bitter people in this thread. The woman is gorgeous, pregnant and happy. Get over it.

      • Bella DuPont says:

        @ Hershey

        While I can completely see where you’re coming from, I don’t entirely agree with your premise. This woman has sat still and absorbed blow after blow after blow from every conceivable direction for YEARS at this point.

        A clear, deliberate and methodical effort is underway to entirely assassinate her character and so far, the BRF have done nothing but wring their hands and clutch their pearls.

        I agree with you 100% that she needs to really tone down her spending across the board, in a clear, deliberate way – that is still her Achilles heel.

        Having said that, I think this is her folding up her sleeves and trying to take hold of the narrative. I’d much rather have that than the “play dead” strategy that the BRF seem to prefer.

      • Mia says:

        When President Obama came into office, the Republicans and their base nitpicked. I see the same thing happening with Meghan. No matter what she does someone is going to question her motives etc. I hope she continues to work hard and do what she feels is best.

      • KK2 says:

        So what if they are enraged? They haven’t really been on her side the past few months anyway. I get what you’re saying but I don’t agree that the best thing to do is appease them. She is probably at peak popularity now, especially with the baby coming. She has power too. I don’t think this is a mistake. I think she tried to play it their way for a year or so and got fed up with it/them.

    • ProfPlum says:

      OR New York City is in between a London, Toronto, and LA, allowing her friends to meet in the middle with minimal fuss. The ragging on this woman who is LIVING her life is insane.

    • notasugarhere says:

      From the photos the other night? She was staying at a private residence until her being in NYC was outed by staff who sold the money to a tabloid. She was rushed out of there at night to an unknown/safer location.

      Princess Madeleine of Sweden used to live in NYC and she was hounded and followed by Swedish paps there.

    • 90sgirl says:

      I can’t stop laughing at the UK tabloids who were so busy fighting about Clooney and complaining about People mag , that not one of them except Scobie who is the only one who actually Had knowledge of the trip.
      Lol the UK press and jealous haters are gonna hate, if she sits at home, if she works, if she goes to a shower with friends, Some people just hate to see others happy.

      Enjoy your shower and fun in NYC Meghan, it’s good to know her friends love her and are so supportive.

      You go Meghan. I love this lady.
      Meghan was three moves ahead, while the UK tabloids were still wringing their hands, bashing George Clooney. Lol

      Love her

      • Ahoyoy says:

        I would love it if Amal had put George up to it to draw focus from the baby shower. That lady is a brilliant strategist. We don’t hear from George about Meghan publicly, ever and last week is when he chooses to draw attention to himself about the problematic UK press? Ok.

        Also, I hope Meghan and Harry give the first baby pictures to Vanity Fair or another Americsn outlet. Send a shot over the bow to the UK press. The Sussex’ s are not beholden to them.

    • Ahoyoy says:

      Actually, places like NYC and LA are ideal for public figures who want to blend in with the crowd. The people tend to be used to celebrities and won’t be running up to them like hillbillies asking for their autographs. It took the press four days to find Meghan. If this were a planned pap stroll trip, it would have started last Friday. Your r̶a̶c̶i̶s̶m̶ ignorance is showing.

    • knotslaning says:

      I would disagree that NYC is not a place you go to hide because that is the reason celebrities move here. The only ones who care about celebrities in NYC are the tourists and the paparazzi. Trust me when I say that seeing a big celebrity is a normal thing here and trust me when I say that us New Yorker’s don’t care! This is why celebs love it here because they blend in with the other 8 million schlubs and we are all too busy to care! I also agree that this feels purposefully leaked for all the reasons I mentioned above. You have to go out of your way to get anyone here to take a second look at you!

    • Kris says:

      Cut it out. You clearly aren’t from
      Nyc. Tons of celebs live here unbothered. She was here for the entire 3 day weekend before it was leaked. Try again. She didn’t even get papped when she was an actress.

    • Natters5 says:

      New York City is central to her and her friends and a hotel can deal with security better than a private building. Tenants don’t want to be bothered by paparazzi hanging out at their building. I know, I live here.

  4. Clare says:

    FWIW We (Brits) judge anyone who has a baby shower – it’s not really a British thing, or the done thing, and considered ‘gauche’. a Bit like black friday – one of those American imports that we publicly side-eye, while secretly buying shit on the Amazon black friday sale.

    • Lumbina says:

      It’s why it made sense to me she had it at home in the states, where presumably it’s a normal rite of passage she can enjoy with her friends.

      I (British and living in Britain) get invited to lots now and still find it a bit strange. Especially because traditionally you don’t buy stuff for babies until they’re safely delivered here.

    • JJ says:

      Very true!

    • manda says:

      well, oh well, she’s from the US and literally (almost literally) every mother in the us (esp her age) has had at least one baby shower. We don’t do boxing day or bank holidays (whatever the hell those are) and we don’t judge you all. What’s wrong with having a celebration for a new baby? (I will say, actually, that I think some religions don’t do showers because it’s bad luck, which I can get down with–you didn’t mention that as a reason).

      Edited to add–Ok, Lumbina mentioned that as a reason above and like I said, I can understand that.

      Also, what if her friends threw it for her? So she should be like, “The people in my new home think this is tacky so I have to say no”? That’s not cool

      • Clare says:

        @Manda, Oh, I’m not suggesting she shouldn’t have had one, she should do whatever the F she wants to do.

        I’m just saying that I can understand why many British people (who by the way pay for much of her lifestyle with our taxes – including the security team that is no doubt watching out for her during this trip, that’s why you can’t compare ‘our’ national opinion with yours on boxing day) find it a bit odd/low end, and why many people who LIKE her, and aren’t horrible racist dbag Sun readers, will also find this a bit odd.

        Take it as adding a tiny bit of context to some (certainly not all) of the commentary from, I suppose. Lucy down the street would get the same side-eye for having a baby shower, I think.

        p.s bank holiday is british speak for public holiday. lol.

      • Becks1 says:

        But didn’t Kate have one? I don’t remember such a fuss being made about that. Was it because it was in England and not NYC?

        Party Pieces also has a whole section on their site devoted to baby showers(I checked yesterday, ha) so maybe Kate’s shower was just a way of pushing that stuff.

      • Hotsauceinmybag says:

        We do do “bank holidays” ie public holidays like MDW and LDW and Presidents Day, MLK Day, etc… banks are shut those days…

      • manda says:

        @clare–ok, we (or I? I’m not sure) call those national holidays or maybe federal holidays. It’s funny that your holidays like that got defined by whether the bank was open. Language is so interesting.

        Back to the meghan thing, I guess my question is, do British people expect her to shed all of things that make her American? Like, is there any sort of forgiveness of things that she does differently because she is different? I feel like I am forgiving of people from foreign countries when they do things that are considered less “done” here (although I know that many many many people in america are not). I feel like just dropping all of her American things would seem sort of weird, and wouldn’t people criticize that, too? It makes sense to me to be hard on a British woman who has a shower knowing that everybody thinks that is not the thing to do–I mean, I obviously am judgey too ;)–but it seems like being hard on someone who came from a place where they do showers is sort of unfair and mean-spirited. Not that fairness really is an aspect of the discussion

      • Lunde says:

        I think many British people do regard baby showers a bit naff and gauche. It also seems like an odd thing for a Royal to do. I don’t know if Kate had one – it was never mentioned. But typically if the Royals have events they tend to be on someone’s private estate where no press intrusion can occur. So the fact she chose NYC and the press were obviously tipped off in advance does give the impression of a PR stunt.

      • Anitas says:

        I think why it stands out with Meghan is because she married into this family that maintains its status by sticking to their ancient traditions, however stupid they might be, and being quintessentially British. I agree she should be able to do her own thing, especially as it’s her custom, but I can see why it goes against the social contract in the eyes of many Brits. People who care about the royals want them to represent what they think is Britishness.

        I live in the UK though I’m not British. In my culture babies are gifted lavishly, but post-delivery and usually at christening, or first birthday. If I were to throw a baby shower as well, it would easily make me look tacky or greedy, because I know my baby will be given presents at an occasion post-birth, yet here I am throwing another party people have to spend money on.
        This is why baby showers are often side-eyed or looked down upon in the UK or Europe, because they’re a recent import that’s being wedged in with other more traditional gift giving occasions, fueled by the party planning industry and general consumerism.

      • Himmiefan says:

        Thank you; we don’t do those British holidays and don’t judge those who do. What is truly gauche is the automatic judging of anything vaguely American. All in all, Meghan’s shower is no one’s business but her own.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Deleted because it was covered below.

    • AnnaKist says:

      Oh, Clare, I want to come and live over there! The Black Friday thing’s got a hold here, too, as well as Click Frenzy, when stores try to pass off all the stuff they couldn’t sell all year as a ‘’crazy, unrepeatable bargain’’. I can’t stand baby showers, kitchen teas, hen nights or worse, hen weekends, etc… I find all this constant gift-giving utterly horrendous. It’s expected an expensive. One couple I know: Engagement, bridal shower, Hens’ Night, wedding, kitchen tea, housewarming, baby shower, gender reveal party, birth, christning or naming day, first birthday. I’m sure I’ve missed something. A gift is expected every time. I’m tired of giving gifts that are unappreciated, and the increasingly-common requests for cash only. What hav we bone? Nope, I decided. No more. I’m not playing the game anymore. I’m a generous person, but I will decide what, if any, events I attend and bring a gift to. Then again, in a tucked-away little garden shop, I might find the perfect shrub for that sad corner in your garden and buy it for you just because you’re you. Side-eying is a good thing, isn’t it?

      • Becks1 says:

        A hen party is a bachelorette party, right? If so then I’ll say that I think the idea of whole weekends away for one are way tackier than this baby shower, lol. I’m glad when I got married (12 years ago) most of my friends were in their first post college jobs and no one had a lot of money, so we did the classic bar crawl, ha. But now I have friends who are getting married (in our late 30s) and the parties are…..insane. Not quite Crazy Rich Asians insane, but insane. Weekends in St. Maarten, or Paris, or multi day extravaganzas at spa hotels, etc. I couldn’t afford it if any of my close friends got married now lol.

      • L84Tea says:

        What are kitchen teas? I MUST know.

      • Clare says:

        @AnnaKist I hate nothing more than a hen party. I mean – enforced fun with willy shaped straws? No thanks.

        Mind me asking where you’re from? Only because you said you want to come live here…just as everything is imploding (11 mp’s resigned their party affiliations this week, eeek)

      • jan90067 says:

        Kitchen teas are like bridal showers where you buy things for the kitchen (blenders, coffee makers, glassware etc).

      • Spicecake38 says:

        I am not a fan of showers,but that’s just me.It’s those stupid games that IMO are the worst.I think Meghan should do whatever makes her happy though,it’s her first baby,she’s had some pretty bad things said about her,she should enjoy some time with friends before she gives birth.
        To each their own with showers,hen night,weekend away,whatever.My biggest problem is that all occasions are getting bigger and more demanding of gifts,or asking for cash not gifts-
        My cousins both had giant baby showers,and the invite SPECIFIED that each attendee bring a box of pampers,to get in,like a cover charge or something,the diapers were not meant to be THE gift,there was also a registry. I can’t imagine…

      • jules says:

        @spicecake, you had me at those stupid games. Who the hell invented them? Talk about losing brain cells. I get it that some women live for baby showers and bridal showers. It’s not my thing. If this is Meghan’s thing she should go for it, but I also understand those who find it tacky and over-the-top.

      • AnnaKist says:

        Hi Clare. To answer your question, I’m in Australia. We have very similar experiences/traditions to the British. All these parties are well-entrenched here, and only people like me (cynical, a bit anarchic, too serious) side-eye them.These hens’ nights are pure madness. You’re right – Willy straws, chocolate Willy spoons (for stirring your coffee) copious amounts of alcohol, ‘’red-headed slut’’ and ‘’cokc sucking cowboy’’cocktails, tacky tiaras, ridiculous dress-up veils, screechng bridesmaids with their mammaries hanging out of too-tight dresses, the male stripper dressed as a fireman…ugh ugh ugh. And all the stupid games we are expected to play at these parties. I hate compulsory enthusiasm and enforced fun.

    • Emily says:

      Kate had a shower. It was a big deal. Her brother allegedly made a pacifier cake.
      https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/05/kate-middleton-royal-baby-shower

      • Clare says:

        Emily thank you for this gift 😂
        Now, was it a marshmallow cake?

      • Himmiefan says:

        But since Kate did it, it won’t be considered gauche.

      • Becks1 says:

        look at that coverage. “its not traditional, but then Kate’s not traditional!” She wasn’t considered gauche, or tacky. Just so unique and original and nontraditional!

      • Emily says:

        @Becks1 – Another article said royals don’t usually have baby showers but Kate’s “not a royal”. Well neither is Meghan, then! So when is it considered tacky? (insert eyeroll)

      • Ahoyoy says:

        Hmm. Imagine that.

        Ladies, do we want to hold our collective breath waiting for @Hershey’s heartfelt apology?

      • Kim says:

        I think there is a pretty stark difference between her brother making a pacifier cake, and Meghan’s multi-day barricade extravaganza…

      • notasugarhere says:

        There was no reason for us to know that Pippa was planning Kate’s party, that James was making the cake. Those leaks were a way of the Middletons monetizing the event, with Pippa’s failed party planning book and James’s failing cake business being highlighted. As it was a private event at a private home, there was no other way we would have known those things if they hadn’t been leaked by the family.

        Meghan is the target of serious attempted attacks, from the white powder envelopes to the tumblr idiots showing up at events and trying to personally grab her. A white nationalist group wanting to kill Harry as a race traitor, who knows what they want to do to his wife. Once her presence was outed by the waitress, the police had to respond with security barricades. Security barricades against people like the tumblr idiot who showed up to scream things at her. Meghan is not required to give up all her private plans because someone made money invading her privacy. Or because an unhinged person from tumblr wants to attack her.

      • Lady D says:

        She was there for three days before anyone even knew. She managed to stay under the radar for 3 of her 5 day trip. If Meghan had wanted a “multi-day barricade extravaganza…” she could have had one.

    • Hershey says:

      We have showers in America, but even celebrities manage to have them without van loads of flowers, gifts, and celebrity guests on full on display.

      With huge numbers of photographers behind crowd barriers. Plopped right in front of this huge display is a smiling, bag waving, sun glass wearing Meghan.

      All fine if you are an actress. Honestly I think the woman just accidentally set her charitable work with Harry on fire.

      These images are hitting British press, all of it, not just tabs, like a huge pr event.

      How do you go to a homeless shelter when images are splashed like this.

      Yes the royals are extravagant but private extravagance is behind closed doors. The huge public events like the weddings are something the public turn out for, they are the huge crowds.

      Every time Kate and William jet off to on an expensive vacation, they are criticized.

      This wont be received any differently. But at least with most royal extravagances, the public mostly hear about them, and photos are minimal. And definitely not staged.

      • jan90067 says:

        Why should a party sour things? Since when did ANY member of the BRF take a vow of poverty?

      • CHATNUH says:

        Just for you, hershey, courtesy of @emily above.
        Now get out your dictionary. youre gonna need to find looooooots of gauche-similies, n’est-ce pas?
        Enjoy!
        https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/05/kate-middleton-royal-baby-shower

      • Bren says:

        @Hershey

        Breathe. It’s really not that serious.

        None of this life or death. Meghan cannot control how she’s being perceived by the British press. All she can do is live her best life and be loved by her husband, mother, and friends who want to celebrate her first baby.

      • Ahoyoy says:

        Probably the same way you show up after attending multi-million dollar state dinners wearing priceless diamond crowns and giant ballgowns.

        Also, how long have you lived in America? I’ve been going to huge country club baby showers my entire life. And I’m not particularly fancy. This is not a new phenomena and it sounds like this one in particular was a somewhat muted affair.

        Maybe it’s time for you to admit that you don’t know what you’re talking about and are just concern-trolling.

      • Lady D says:

        Hershey, I have seen all kinds of celebrity baby showers articles. Off the top of my head I’ve read about Jessica Simpson and Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, Sheryl Crow, Blake Lively, Gwen Stefani, plus hundreds more, and they go all out. There’s articles about celebs having van loads of flowers delivered, huge cakes, massive bunches of balloons, carnival rides, miniature animals….

      • V. says:

        “Every time Kate and William jet off to on an expensive vacation, they are criticized.”
        This. The double standards are something else. The problem is not the baby shower. Some people are using the pretext that she’s getting unfair criticism because baby showers are considered tacky when it comes to Meghan but “they are fine with Kate!!!” ,to divert the attention from the fact that having or not having baby showers is not the problem here. It’s the way the whole thing was handled and how it comes across.

    • Hyacinth Bucket says:

      I’m British and no “WE” don’t.

      And for the 8th millionth time Kate Middleton had a baby shower AND her family sell and heavily market baby shower items through their business and website.

    • anon says:

      Sush nonsense! Unless you’re using the royal “we” and it’s just, you know, your personal opinion…

    • Mia says:

      was Kate judged when she had a baby shower in 2013? asking for a friend.

      The 31-year-old Royal is believed to have received the Queen’s blessing for the event, which is a first in terms of pregnant royalty.

      According to reports, Pippa and Kate’s friends and family have been planning the baby shower for weeks and it is expected to be held at Kate’s family home in Berkshire.

      “It isn’t royal tradition but Kate isn’t a traditional royal,” a friend told The Sun. “She is modern and wants a normal life. A baby shower wouldn’t normally happen if you’re in the Royal family, but there is now a modern way of thinking.”

  5. Erinn says:

    I’m digging the sunglasses. And I know she’s super used to walking in heels, but her legs look SO tiny compared to the baby belly and it makes me nervous haha. I do like the shoes as well – in general I really like most of her accessories.

    • Cidy says:

      I have sunglasses that look just like those. I love them, she looks great in them with her little pixie nose!

    • Peg says:

      @Erinn
      In the next couple of weeks it’s going to look scarier, two tiny legs carry that big bump.
      She is such a fast walker.

      • Bren says:

        My sister carried like Meghan. She’s 5’4 and stayed thin through her entire pregnancy. She was all belly. Her highest weight before giving birth was 115 lbs and she snapped back a week later. It was fascinating to witness.

        Back to Meghan, years of practicing yoga has really benefited her well throughout this pregnancy.

    • Some chick says:

      She looks fantastic. There is nothing so restorative as Girlfriend Time. Aww yeah.

      You can see her center of gravity is off. I can’t imagine doing all that in heels! Hopefully she slips them off in the car. I certainly would. (What am I saying? I’d be wearing flats!)

      My, my, my, so much pearl-clutching! I hope no one gets a hand cramp!

  6. TeamAwesome says:

    I like this outfit way more than anything she has worn in a while.

    • Lunde says:

      I really like the outfit. I have been a bit disappointed in some of her recent choices – she seemed to have forgotten all of her signature trouser-coat combos in recent months. Happy to see them back again.

  7. Ohio Girl says:

    The optics of this are not good. Really questioning her (lack of) judgment. I’m a big Meghan fan!

    • Bryn says:

      The optics aren’t good? Lack of judgement? What are you even talking about?

      • Kittycat says:

        The optics of a biracial woman getting so much attention.

        If the media didn’t think anyone was interested in her trip they wouldn’t have covered it.

        The problem for the media is people are interested in her and want to see her so they are going to keep trying to knock her down.

      • Anna says:

        @Kittycat nails it. All of this is just so much b.s. because Brits simply refuse to show any kindness to a Black royal (wonder if the Black royals in history had the same issues). It’s all thinly-veiled racism. “Optics” ha! Folks really think we don’t understand! Please! Y’all colonized 1/3 of the planet and now acting brand new. As if.

      • Eyeroll says:

        @Anna Calling an entire nation of ‘Brits’ racist to defend your favourite celebrity is so so low. Honestly.

        People can not like her clothing, her spending, her pap strolls or whatever it is and that does not make them racist. Has she suffered from vile, racist abuse in certain articles in certain newspapers – yes. Strangely enough, those papers don’t reflect the views of the ENTIRE nation. And btw I’m a british Meghan fan with almost identical colouring to her – so any criticism I have of her approach to being a royal so far is not founded in racism kthnx.

    • Alexandria says:

      But why? Is she guzzling champagne or throwing money around strippers or throwing a Kardashian Beyonce bash?

      It’s her firstborn. Perhaps she had it in the States because it’s not popular in the UK. But hey, she still sucks right?

      I swear ‘But her emails’ and ‘Thanks Obama!’ is becoming ‘but it’s Meghan! It’s crass! It’s not English! It’s not protocol!’

    • Chloe says:

      Yeah, it looks terrible that she’s so happy.

    • BlueSky says:

      This woman cannot win at all! What is she supposed to do? Have a bodyguard cover her with a blanket and run her to her car??? She’s a celebrity and I’m sure they figured it was just easier to give the press pictures than hound her.

    • Beach Dreams says:

      Oh yes, a pregnant woman enjoying time with her friends in her home country. Such terrible optics indeed.

    • Ohio Girl says:

      I think some of you are a little too sensitive about my comment. I would say the same thing about Kate. A member of the British royal family does not need a baby shower. Or a pap walk. It is just fanning the flames of her haters.
      Yes she’s beautiful, glowing and happy. I still respectfully disagree with it being appropriate.

      • Bryn says:

        This is her first baby, her friends are giving her gifts, are they using tax payer money to buy the gifts..probably not. Just because she’s a member of the royal family doesn’t mean her friends can’t buy gifts for her and her baby. I wasn’t sensitive about your comment, just confused. I guess we just have different opinions on what’s appropriate lol.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Kate had showers and her family monetized the events.

      • Mia says:

        @Ohio Girl, but Kate DID have a baby shower and she’s the FUTURE QUEEN (clutching pears, gasp)

        The 31-year-old Royal is believed to have received the Queen’s blessing for the event, which is a first in terms of pregnant royalty.

        According to reports, Pippa and Kate’s friends and family have been planning the baby shower for weeks and it is expected to be held at Kate’s family home in Berkshire.

        “It isn’t royal tradition but Kate isn’t a traditional royal,” a friend told The Sun. “She is modern and wants a normal life. A baby shower wouldn’t normally happen if you’re in the Royal family, but there is now a modern way of thinking.”

      • SayItLoud says:

        On this site, if you disagree you will get attacked and berated. Seems like everyone here wants people to all think the same. If you disagree, you are RACIST. LOL

      • Olenna says:

        It’s been said here many times, over many months, that Meghan is being criticized for different reasons, not just racism.

    • Renee says:

      @ Ohio Girl, Samantha is that you? or should I call you Ms. Grant?

  8. AnnaKist says:

    The lady on the right in the first photo? Yeah, I want her boots. The Duchess looks fine to me. I like that all-dark clothing look. She’s young and lovely, so, to me, she’s going to look good in whatever she wears. As long as she’s comfy, that’s what matters.

  9. Toot says:

    Nice to see Meghan was able to have a little fun with her friends before the baby comes.

    Also, Abigail has known Meghan from before Suits, her words.

  10. OriginalLala says:

    She looks great style-wise, like she used to look pre-wedding…I’ve liked her since Suits, but I find pap-strolls generally pretty tacky…

    • Peg says:

      So sorry, NYC did not build a special tunnel for Meghan to get around in, so she would not offend folks by just living her got damn life.

    • Dee says:

      I find people who retort with “wow, calm down” tacky. I find people who watch television tacky. I find people who refer to photographers as “paps” tacky.
      So, the tally is Meghan = one tacky, OriginalLaLa = three!

      • OriginalLala says:

        I’m confused right now, I like Meghan..I am a fan of hers, and just because I said I don’t like pap strolls this is your response? It’s a bit over-aggressive…..yikes.

  11. Kealeen says:

    The early comments on this post make me wonder if Celebitchy is on Samantha Markle’s radar. God forbid Meghan retains any hint of her former life and friends, and live life like it’s 2019.

    • Bryn says:

      I’ve been noticing some strange comments on posts lately, really critical about black history month, and Megan of course. I’m thinking its trolls, they will write a couple different comments and than not reply after. Pretty sure it’s trolls

      • SayItLoud says:

        Or maybe it is just that people who used to love this blog are sick of the nasty hypocritical bullshit that is spewed here by regular commenters and the author on a daily basis.

      • Olenns says:

        @SayItLoud, wow. You must be feeling awfully angry about something you are personally invested in (but haven’t bothered to explain) for you to think it’s OK to criticize the significance of celebrating Black History Month. I’ve been called vulgar names on this site, but I’m not blaming the CB authors. If people who dish out criticism (especially the really hateful stuff I’ve seen directed at Meghan) can’t handle criticism when it’s directed at them, then maybe this site wasn’t a good fit in the first place.

    • Sparkly says:

      I’m convinced that I’ve seen her (deranged) comments here.

      • Kealeen says:

        Glad to know it’s not just me getting that impression!

      • Bryn says:

        This site is pretty well known for doing a lot of positive stories about Megan, I’m willing to bet her witch of a half sister is here somewhere. Where are you, Samantha?

      • Olenna says:

        Agree. This is site is well-known, especially among the royal watchers who post on other blogs, Tumblr, Twitter, etc. Also, I believe there are CB defectors who disliked Meghan that post some of those hit-and-run comments under different names.

    • Mia says:

      you nailed it. The other daughter who the Duchess of Sussex does not know and is on Scotland Yards fixated list lurks along with her fans. I wish this site had GIFs

  12. mynameispearl says:

    The tabloids are covering it (the other papers dont care).

    The DM is shading her for pap walking (headline, ‘Where is she going??’ accompanied with a timeline of her entering and exiting and entering the hotel in quick succession).

  13. Anna says:

    Copy and pasted from the other post on Meghan.
    I read a good theory on Twitter that it was her team which planned the photo-ops. The idea is, if she does a photo-op then the paparazzi should then leave her alone.
    It a practise most royal does. For example, say Kate & Will are on holiday with the kids, they do a quick photo op – then they should then be left alone for the remainder of their holiday?
    Does that make sense? Charles has been doing it for years.
    Here a tweet to say what I mean: https://twitter.com/World_Royalty/status/1097997591374163970
    I also did read that Meghan and her friend were in a restaurant and they had to change twice as she was easily visible for people taking photos.

    • Becks1 says:

      I think these particular photo ops were obviously planned. Were they planned before or after the fact that she was in NYC leaked? the initial pictures in the Daily Mail did NOT look staged. So I wonder if they realized the info had been leaked, and decided to take control the best way they could?

  14. Becks1 says:

    I like how she wears a monochromatic outfit and then perks it up with accessories (much like her white calvin klein look from last week, with the olive accessories.) She looks great here – very chic but relatively laid back.

    I think she went to NYC, spent a few days with friends, then once it got out that she was there, staged these pics. The ones the DM had yesterday definitely did not look staged, and these do. and I’m okay with that – if she is going to get papped, might as well try to control it.

    I also think there is a large element here of “eff you” to the British tabloids. She’s out and about with friends, looking fabulous and having a great time.

  15. Elisabeth says:

    I find it amusing that when Kate is photographed getting off a train, or at the grocery store, or in the park with her children, she’s “setting up a pap stroll” and desperate for attention. And when Meghan literally sets up a pap stroll, it’s perfectly fine and what she should be doing. Hmm.

    • Becks1 says:

      Well, these pictures are definitely a pap stroll, lol. But I don’t mind if the royals try to take control of their image at times. And I am bothered a lot less by this than the staged grocery shopping or whatever, because this is just such an obvious thing, you know? Meghan isn’t really trying to be subtle here.

    • Natalie S says:

      It’s because the photographs are allowed to be printed which means they are endorsed by the royals. They aren’t genuine candids. Meghan and Harry did the same thing. Meghan’s stroll to Whole Foods was an endorsed candid.

      This is an image setting move as well. This isn’t about being desperate for any attention (because both Kate and Meghan can get attention with no effort at all) but trying to set how she wants the public to think of her. The Cambridges want to be seen as ordinary, down-to-earth people in extraordinary and privileged circumstances. I think Meghan is going for something like independent and staying true to herself in extraordinary and privileged circumstances.

      • notasugarhere says:

        That might apply to photos in the UK, but not those taken outside it. The royals can lean on UK publications but cannot stop what happens elsewhere. Hence the after-the-fact lawsuits filed in other countries for photos published outside the UK.

        Why Kate did the pretend editing thing for HuffPost? They were one of the US outlets publishing pap photos William and Kate didn’t like. Kate does the 15 minute editing photo-op for their UK arm and in exchange the US arm stopped publishing photos they didn’t like.

    • Millennial says:

      I, for one, don’t mind when Kate pap strolls because I like to see her casual style.

    • What1ever says:

      Exactly Elizabeth,

      If people are going to drag Kate for staging pap shoots and being desperate for attention even if the pictures are taken from distance/taken covertly or are blurry AF or she looks genuinely startled/shocked at seeing a photographer then you’ve also got to drag Meghan when she really does stage pap walks and revels in the attention.

      • Elena says:

        I don’t think we have to drag her but I agree with your comment. This is a pap stroll.

      • Becks1 says:

        It is a pap stroll – many of us have admitted that. But as @NatalieS said either here or on the other post – these aren’t new to the royal family. People are acting like Meghan is the most inappropriate royal ever because of this, and that’s just not true. (I mean on the other post someone said she would bring about the demise of the royal family because of this!)

      • Spicecake38 says:

        Pap stroll was staged to throw the press a bone,so to speak,and then will hopefully afford her some privacy.All the royals do this. I think it’s sad to have to barter for some privacy,but I guess that goes with being royal.Meghan must be very used to exposure for work reasons from her actress days,and it is probably hard for her to get the right balance between being royal now,and doing publicity their way ,vs her earlier days in entertainment.I think she’s smart,and she’ll figure this out in time.🤷‍♀️

      • Vi says:

        The pap stroll was obviously staged and she knew she would have been followed around. Actually,photographers were already outside the restaurant,the Met Breuer. But if she wanted to handle the press in this way, it was her choice. What I don’t understand is people insisting that “everything was handled privately” or even better “she was just outed..” Please. There’s literally a royal reporter who had every detail about it and is notoriously linked personally to her via her friends. It’s no secret that M&H “use” him for their leaks. Talking about it,I hope nobody will complain again about the Cambridges and royal reporters on spee dial.. Then the same people go on criticizing Kate Middleton for an event that probably didn’t even happen or,if it happened,it was entirely private,because “the Middletons” leaked that Pippa was planning it,the brother was planning the cake..
        Also,whether people think it’s great she’s loving the attention or not,doing things on her own terms,sending a big FY to every British tabloid,I don’t think it’s unwarranted criticism noting that making a huge display of taxpayer-funded security during a private trip IS tone deaf. Actually,it highlights a problem that concerns all of them,because they shouldn’t use taxpayer-funded security in the first place when they choose to travel privately.

  16. aquarius64 says:

    She looks great and I hope she had a good time. The royals in the 90’s were the epitome of tacky.

    In the Fail Jr and Sam, Thing 1 and Thing 2, are taking turn stating Meghan is wrong and they are not the bad guys and oh yeah contact Dad. Dad released Meghan’s letter; you really think he won’t sell a taped phone conversation or meeting? The money must be running out because Sam is invoking their deceased grandmother to bring the family together (read start paying our bills and give us a lush lifestyle).

  17. Peg says:

    LOL, Meghan cracks me up, last week they were crowing, saying she heard complaints about her belly hugging and stopped, little did they know, she was going to bring her belly hugging to the big Apple.
    Well it was just what she needed, friends and relaxation.
    The British media claimed the five sources that spoke to People magazine did not exist, but look who is in Manhattan the five sources, even her friend Marcus Anderson, looking please as punch.

  18. Weaver says:

    I think once the media realized Meghan was in NY three days after she arrived her security had a responsibility to notify her hotel and any places she planned to visit about potential media presence. Once the paps know where a celeb is staying they camp out and follow them.

    I keep seeing people allude to Meghan “finally” getting attention and glamour she wants. Why do people think Meghan is only now getting a taste of the glamourous life? She was heavily papped during her time on Suits if all the old candid photos I’ve seen are any indications. She was an exclusive Soho
    house member. She travelled worldwide to exotic locations. Photo shoots, magazine spreads, designer clothes and red carpets are all things she’s experienced before she met Harry and ironically she can’t do most of those things anymore.

    While her profile has been elevated since her marriage she is not a stranger to the glamourous life.

    • Kittycat says:

      +1000

    • Beach Dreams says:

      Right? There’s are old videos on YouTube of her getting attention from paparazzi. Suits wasn’t Friends but it was popular enough to have 8+ seasons and clearly had a dedicated fan base.

      People are still clearly bitter that she’s part of the royal family. Nothing that’s happened in the past few days has been unprecedented. Queen Elizabeth has been photographed going to nice restaurants numerous times, the royals used to have photo ops for their ski trips to keep the paparazzi at bay and enjoy their vacations in peace…but because this is Meghan people suddenly have a problem with it.

      • Lexa says:

        There’s a pretty big difference in status and attention/recognizability between being on a cable TV show and being a royal. She could travel to beautiful places and eat in amazing restaurants, but she wasn’t A list and the paps weren’t staking out her hotel room. I think it’s ok to acknowledge that she’s made a huge jump in celebrity status and might be enjoying it a bit after hustling so hard to make it in the industry.

    • Katherine says:

      Thank you @weaver. A lot of armchair PR experts on this thread. Of course they knew it would eventually get out she was there. So their choices are still don’t say anything or arrange a pap stroll. Tacky as some may apparently believe the second choice is far safer and easier to control. If they went with the first one a 7 month pregnant woman ends up paparazzi mobbed wherever she goes. Great plan. I’m sure her bodyguards would love maintaining security with those variables

      I mean all of this is a lot less calculated than people making it out to be. They set up a press pen so media could get in demand pics of a high profile person. I’m sure it was explained to Meghan as the more secure option.

      But ok we can go with her nefarious social climbing sunglasses wearing glamorous lifestyle seeking staged tacky pap walk narrative.

  19. Tw says:

    Love her, the look, the event, the Mark. Love it all. She looks happy and beautiful. Haters gonna hate.

  20. Loretta says:

    It was from Diana days that I didn’t see so much attention to a member of the Royal Family. It’s probably because she has charisma, personality and a star quality. These things either you have or don’t have.

    • Immy says:

      “Charisma, personality and a star quality” – so did Princess Margaret, and look how that turned out…

  21. Nev says:

    Go on Duchess!!!!’

  22. Weaver says:

    I think the British tabs had better relish this glimpse of Meghan. Once she and Harry move to the privacy of Frogmore the media will be thirsting for any tidbit they can get without all their “palaces sources”.

  23. Melania says:

    If there was all this frenzy for the baby shower when baby Sussex is born it will be insane

  24. Becks1 says:

    Also, can we take a moment to appreciate that they were at the Polo Bar last night?

    This is definitely a #polobaby. Kaiser has been right all along!

  25. line says:

    I thought it all tacky on the part of a royal to do this . If it’s Kate, Charles or William I’ll say the same thing. There is a lot of money, they can circulate without anyone people’s saying where they are. If celebrities can the royalty can do it too.

    • Beach Dreams says:

      Clearly you don’t know about the royal family because this is what used to happen in exchange for paparazzi to avoid chasing them everywhere.

  26. Sassy says:

    She’s in NY so of course they were going to find her whether spotted by a worker or a random person. All her friends have busy lives and it was probably convenient for their schedules to have a baby shower in NY.

    She married in at 36 she’s not going to give up her American ways just like that.
    Why should she hide? She’s not doing anything wrong.
    Is it some PR at work? Yeah but for too long the Sussexes have had to grin and bear it with no help from KP because they aren’t the priority. Why not up her profile while drowning out the negative stories with baby shower news.

    • Lexa says:

      Actually, a ton of celebrities move through NYC unnoticed—no one knew Natalie Portman and her family were staying at the same hotel until they had to go out to their car. There are a ton of low key, celeb-friendly private places they could have gone to if she wanted to avoid the public eye and just have fun with her friends.

      • Rojas says:

        Nobody is checking for Natlie Portman.

      • Katherine says:

        I think this is not totally true. I keep seeing people say plenty of celebs go through New York unnoticed. Sure. And plenty are noticed. I’ve seen paparazzi hoards plenty of times in my time living here. It depends on what they are doing. A lot live here and just go grocery shopping or drop their kids off. It’s boring after a while and photogs won’t get any money for the pics. It’s all an economics game. Even if she were at a discreet place i guarantee a staff member or hell even a passerby on the street would either sell it or start it circulating on social media. You can’t put the horse back in the barn at that point. There’s just too much money to be made.

        Meghan and Natalie Portman are not comparable at all in this situation. Like it or not Meghan’s image is much higher value than Natalie’s right now. So it’s going to attract a lot of photographers. They can either meet the situation where it is or allow complete disruption and chaos by not organizing the media in some way. Call it a pap walk if you must but as a New Yorker I for one have no problem with this approach. It’s more organized and less disruptive to my commute so…have at your pap strolls Meghan.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Paps used to hound Princess Madeleine when she lived in NYC. The queen injured herself (knee?) trying to get away from them.

        A staff person from the restaurant on Saturday called Page Six and sold the info. Once that was done, it looks like she was moved from a private residence. Given it was now out, the police wisely set up security barriers for this event given the threats Meghan has received.

  27. Kittylouise says:

    Bloody hell! What is so tacky about this? Absolutely nothing in my eyes. She’s a pregnant woman in her own country, perfectly nicely dressed and having a baby shower.

    Please US readers don’t think all Brits are like these strange Piers Morgan types who seem to speak on behalf of the country and say that baby showers are not done here. They’re really widespread now and much liked by lots of generations, it’s a lovely tradition. I didn’t have one (23 years ago I think they were pretty unheard of) but they’re commonplace now, not just in London but in the sticks as well.

    I don’t care much about what goes on in royal land to be honest – the UK has enough crap going on – but the tacky comments about this woman are really unecessary I think.

  28. Sassy says:

    Let’s stop the whole royals aren’t celebrities thing *looks at the tab headlines and stories and fan fashion blogs* sure Jan. Let’s call a thing a thing they are.

    • Nic919 says:

      I have always found that line to be ridiculous. Monarchists try to pretend that royals aren’t celebrities, but they have been for centuries.

      • notasugarhere says:

        They were some of the earliest celebrities in a way, way back when emperors were putting their faces on coins.

    • Bren says:

      Yes. Especially since royal reporters write gossip about the royals like they are celebrities.

  29. Elisa says:

    this is clearly a pap stroll and she is enjoying it, so what…
    I wonder how she feels about being back on home turf. Do you think she misses her old life a bit?

    • OriginalLala says:

      Royal life seems so restrictive and dull – yes I know the perks are many, but I could totally see her missing the freedom of her old life. It must be really challenging to go from doing what you want to having to follow inane rules and protocol all the time.

  30. Nev says:

    Meghan is a DUCHESS. Folks don’t get it yet. She can conduct herself as she sees fit. She is being herself. No airs. No pretense. She seems so happy and natural. The haterade is hysterical.

  31. ds says:

    I bet the Brit press is gonna use “she’s spending tax payers money to play a hollywood celebrity” card in 3…2…1… that’s what they think is tacky just not spinning it yet.

  32. Beach Dreams says:

    LOL I guess some of you clearly don’t know much about the royal family, because Charles and co. used to let the paparazzi have a controlled environment to take some photos in exchange for leaving them alone/not chasing them everywhere trying to catch a scoop.

    A waitress leaked Meghan’s presence to Page Six and got the ball rolling. If she really wanted the attention, we would have known when she touched down on Friday. NYC is a completely different ballgame when it comes to the paps and it’s impressive that she managed to keep her trip quiet for several days. Don’t compare this to the numerous Cambridge photo ops, there’s no comparison to be found.

  33. Canadian says:

    I would imagine Duchess of Sussex has tried hard to navigate British cultural practices. So ironic that Brits find her cultural practices “tacky”. Give me a break, and let her have fun with friends and celebrate her baby. In Canada, many baby showers are done before or after baby is born and it helps the new parents ease some of the financial burden of lower income for the first year. She is not financially burdened of course, but a shower is also a celebration of the baby and new parents. People have a right to their opinions but spare me the ethnocentrism.

    • Its Ok says:

      Her job is to represent the British. So, it’s not ridiculous for the British to be annoyed at her for being too American. I’m American, so it’s whatever to me, but the criticism actually does make sense under the circumstances.

      • Hyacinth Bucket says:

        It’s not us British doing most of the “oh but the Brits think she’s so awful!” trolling.

      • notasugarhere says:

        So is Autumn too Canadian, Birgitte too Danish, Gary too Maori? Or it is just Meghan that riled you so much?

      • Abby says:

        OK, but as many people have said–Kate had baby showers too.

      • Bohemian Angel says:

        I’m British and I don’t have a problem with her being ‘too’ American as that’s what she is, an American. If she starts adopting everything British she will be deemed fake. Meghan should just be herself, I don’t know much about baby showers but as it’s an American custom why shouldn’t she have one if thats what she wants. All this pearl clutching is beyond ridiculous.

  34. Franny Days says:

    I’m so confused at people who think this is tacky. And because she’s a duchess she should never go to nyc ever again? She’s a human being. Why is it tacky to spend some time with your friends before you have your baby. Do commenters on here not have friends who want to celebrate them?

    • minime says:

      I’ll join you in the “confused corner”. I don’t even understand half of these comments and the outrage at such a normal thing. Like, I don’t understand baby showers and find it a bit silly IN MY culture, ’cause we simply don’t have it. But an American doing a baby shower seems to me the most normal thing in the world. She is now part of the royal family and might represent somehow the UK but she also represents herself as a person as she is American…it makes no sense to say that she should now not do and celebrate cultural traditions that really don’t offend in anything…The negative reactions to a pregnant lady looking pretty happy, traveling to her home country and meeting some good friends to celebrate a happy time before she gives birth are just mind-boggling. Good for her to take some time to do something nice! I would love for them to just move to NY or somewhere in the USA in some years (like Princess Madeleine of Sweden did) 😀

    • Lorelei says:

      I’m confused too. Some people just want to jump all over her for everything.

      If we took out the words “baby shower” and it had been reported as she was visiting with her friends for a few days, would people be losing their minds like this? She is having her first baby, of course her friends want to give her gifts. This entire conversation is so ridiculous. Let her live!!

  35. RoyalBlue says:

    A well deserved break from from the gilded cage where they tell you: how to dress and what to say and where to go and how often and how much to spend.

    She is hanging with friends and who cares if the paps see. Inside they are probably cackling and oohing and ahhhhing over lovely gifts. I live in a British overseas territory and is it common here to have baby showers. I had for both my kids. A friend just threw one for her pending grandchild. My office also threw showers for me both times. It is a custom and I think it’s wonderful she is celebrating such a momentous occasion with her close friends.

    She needs to do a getaway like this at least twice a year. Next time head to Milan and then Athens. Next time with spouses Anywhere but In the UK.

  36. Lexa says:

    She looks really pretty—I love her sunglasses and vintage coat!

  37. Gracie0 says:

    Those criticising Meghan are all hypocrites. Kate is always papping her kids. I am sure the have private parks in the palaces where she can take her kids to play. These hypocrites ain’t fooling anyone…. we can see you. They don’t want Meghan to be happy or be seen. It is killing them that Meghan is more popular than Kate, has global appeal and loyal friends who adore her. You never see them condemn the British press for all the lies thrown at Meghan but they are quick to criticise and point out fake protocols that only apply to Meghan. Did they complain when Camila and her friends were papped on a yacht enjoying themseles and she was wearing that unflattering red swimsuit with everything hanging out. It’s great she has friends who have her back. You go Meghan .. be happy and don’t let the haters and trolls take away your shine.

    • CHATNUH says:

      “Gracie0 says:
      February 20, 2019 at 9:30 am

      “Those criticising Meghan are all hypocrites.”

      THANK! YOU! Gracie0.
      That. Is. All.

    • Lexa says:

      I take your point, but I definitely think it goes both ways. We can’t expect Meghan to travel via secret tunnel and in the shadows in NYC and we shouldn’t expect her OR Kate to stay inside their palace walls 24/7 for the rest of their lives. It doesn’t make them attention-seeking, it makes them normal and, most of the time, a regular person is in the right place at the right time to snap them out and about. I definitely questioned Meghan and the PR guy’s stroll out of the restaurant but I really do not think she and Kate are calling the paps on themselves all the time.

  38. Nic919 says:

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/kate-middleton/10090552/Duchess-of-Cambridge-to-receive-first-Royal-baby-shower.html

    So Pippa threw her sister a baby shower for George. Can we stop with the tacky comments now?

    • Olenna says:

      Unfortunately, the hate and envy is real. Like someone mentioned in a previous thread, she has become the British Obama, the “Thanks, Meghan”, for the disgruntled, the bigoted, and the disturbed. So, people are not going to stop the criticism, regardless of how ignorant, uninformed or bigoted it makes them sound, because she’s their new scapegoat, their whipping girl for everything wrong in their lives.

      • Jebbe says:

        Could we stop with the Meghan comparisons to Obama. Obama is a highly educated man who became the most powerful man on earth. Meghan is a former cable actress who has achieved Kardashian-level fame because of who she married. And critiques of Meghan aren’t all race based.

        Signed an Obama but not a Meghan fan.

      • Olenna says:

        @Jebbe, no. You do your comparisons and I’ll do mine. And, yes, agree not all critiques are race-based. A lot are based on envy, self-hate, and classism.

      • Lorelei says:

        @Olenna I think it’s a perfect comparison.

        @Jebbe, you’re totally missing the point. It isn’t about comparing Meghan and Obama, it is about comparing the TREATMENT they receive from the media and their detractors. The criticism over every single insignificant thing, from carrying a latte and wearing a tan suit to, in Meghan’s case, daring to live her life, visit with her friends and accept gifts for her new baby.

      • Nic919 says:

        Meghan also attended university so she’s no dummy. But the real comparison is because she is biracial and has reached a position that was viewed as one of white privilege (Queen Charlotte notwithstanding) and she is getting ridiculous criticism simply for existing.

  39. greenteaandrosehip says:

    Good for Meghan! As an American living abroad, I know how important “home time” is where one doesn’t always feel like an outsider. Hope she has an amazing time in NY.

  40. BendyWindy says:

    She looks lovely and happy. I remember the time before my first was born. I was ugly and my husband was at basic training until 3 days before my due date, but I couldn’t wait to meet my boy. Nearly 11 years later and I still remember that feeling. He’s lucky, too, some days that’s the only thing that keeps him alive.

  41. Carey says:

    I’m with the folks who think this was a mistake. The Royals are celebrities, yes, but they aren’t just celebrities. They are part of an institution that traces back more than 1100 years. An institution that is facing a lot of threats with Brexit and the not too far away death of the Queen. Part of what has kept the monarchy going even after they lost their real power is the sense of mystique. That the family represents something singular and important about British identity. If they behave like any other rich famous person, the public will reasonably ask why they should bother using tax money to support the monarchy.

    • Mich says:

      Prince Andrew consorted with a known pedophile. Prince Philip recently almost killed three people. Fergie sold access for money. Charles had a years long affair with a married woman. And don’t get me started on what other royals throughout history have done. What keeps the monarchy going is nostalgia, money and a willingness to abuse people.

      Meghan isn’t abusing people. She is getting love from friends after being horribly abused by the British press for an entire year.

      • minime says:

        LOL Thank you Mich. You would think that people would have other concerns concerning the royals and their shady behavior…but no, the pregnant American lady meeting some friends is really at the top.

      • Anna says:

        Thank you @Mich All of this is just very thinly veiled racism. They can’t stand that this beautiful, smart, creative, effervescent, stylish, kind woman has captured Harry’s heart, that they are so happy. My goodness what tiny little lives people lead especially Brits to spend time criticizing this woman! But we know where it comes from…doesn’t at all excuse it but the haters are fooling no one

      • Carey says:

        All of those things damaged the monarchy as well. There’s a reason Philip surrendered his license and issued an unprecedented apology. Charles and Camilla’s affair and Diana’s subsequent death created such a crap storm that there was serious talk that Charles would never be accepted as king. Prince Andrew and his children are being cut out of the core working royals. More recently, William’s laziness and obvious resentment of the requirements of his role are also creating damage.

        This isn’t about whether Meghan is better or worse than any other Royal, but more of an overall impression of the institution that can serious undermine public support. I agree with you that nostalgia is a big reason the royals are still around, particularly around the queen. Once she and Charles pass, will the younger monarchs have the stature to continue the institution?

        As for racism, I did a skippy clap when I saw all of the wonderful black cultural touchstones in her wedding and her beautiful mother wearing her locks and a nose ring. My critique is not at all about racism. I just think the optics of this baby shower are bad news for Meghan and the royals.

    • anon says:

      The Queen hides money in offshores, she acts just like any other rich person too. But baby showers are the limits for you guys, the absolute limit! And not any previous babyshowers, just this particular one!

      • MA says:

        The BRF who are subsidized by taxpayers are somehow acceptable, but Meghan’s own independently wealthy friends using their own money to celebrate her is evil.

  42. burdzeyeview says:

    She looks great, she is spending time with her friends…I have no problem with any of it….Brexit or not!! HAHA..

  43. Case says:

    She looks awesome. Her style here is much more similar to how she dressed pre-wedding, which I preferred. That coat is incredible.

  44. Dee Kay says:

    Ordinary people can think and say whatever they want about Meghan but I am repulsed about the British press going after her. The press hated hated hated on Diana (and she “escaped” once or twice to NYC, iirc), but she was their golden goose. She died too young and they’ve feasted on her memory for decades now. I don’t like the way the press makes money off of popular women by denigrating them endlessly. Meghan is a lot saner, smarter, and more mature than Diana, so I hope she is able to fight back against the negative press more effectively, but as an institution, the British tabloids just seem mean, spiteful, misogynist, and in this case, racist, all because they are able to inflame these horrid passions in British readers. What a tyrannical system.

  45. hkk says:

    I think she is going to be the first royal to breastfeed in public and wear her baby. I can see her attending her patronages with little polo baby all snuggled into her carrier. I can’t wait!
    https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fd/a4/ac/fda4acc92bcc3104f0cf1f6729a2a6bf.jpg

  46. Pandy says:

    She’s a first time Mum and deserves a shower, whether she has $$ to buy everything she would need and more …. that’s part of the fun! I’d rather see a baby shower than wedding reception #7.

  47. Guest says:

    Meghan knows shes going to be trashed by the crazies no matter what. So why not have a great bb shower and have fun with friends. I love some people are seething. Between royaldish and twitter it’s been a hoot.

  48. HeyThere! says:

    Let this woman have a baby shower and visit her friends.

    If I were MM I would have gone full blonde bob wig and snuck the back enterance because I would not want this attention.

  49. liriel says:

    I say you go girl, but we have to admit that the media coverage with TONS of flowers etc are OTT. I totally get it but at the same time.. duh. very splashy in your eyes splashy.

    • Beach Dreams says:

      Those “tons” of flowers were actually hotel decorations, nothing to do with Meghan. So you basically fell for the media’s false reporting. But that’s not surprising considering the comments you tend to make about Meghan.

  50. JRenee says:

    What a shame, she’s done nothing but because after 2 or 3 days, she’s being lapped so now she’s an attention seeker.
    I hope she enjoys her time away from home and she is safe.
    People have taken this to a level where I’m really concerned with her safety.

    • MA says:

      Tinhats have already supposedly confronted her. One bragged online about going to one of her walkabouts to see if she could get close enough to snatch her “fake” baby bump (they think it’s a pillow or something). Another is apparently on camera callimg her “charlatan duchess” when she’s heading into a building.

  51. jules says:

    Meghan looks gorgeous here, I have never seen a bad photo of her. Flawless complexion. She looks like she is just living her life.

    I’ve traveled quite a bit and lived abroad in 3 other countries for almost four years now. Getting out of the US really showed me how the rest of the world views Americans. In general Americans are seen as obnoxious, entitled, loud, and rich. Reality tv hasn’t helped to disprove this (Real Housewives, Kardashians). I’m generalizing here, not every single person will say this about Americans, but this is pretty much a standard stereotype. So for Meghan to move across the pond, she is viewed as an outsider, an American and also an actress. Hollywood just adds another layer of assumptions and criticisms. I really feel for her, I love where I live but I also find it challenging on a regular basis. I can’t imagine being papped and snarked about in the news about how American I am.

  52. Suzanne Huggins says:

    She looks super pretty.

    Also, a shower isn’t something the woman expecting a baby requests—it’s a party friends throw for her. It would be considered rude to refuse this gift from friends. And a shower isn’t just about gifts. Often it is a time for more experienced parents to share their knowledge and feel connected to the new parent(a) and baby (or babies). The celebration can also be co-Ed and can range in price point.

    My friends are throwing me a “sprinkle” for my second baby who is the opposite sex from my first kid and I am really looking forward to the advice and hand-me-downs.

  53. magnolia says:

    The good? She looks beautiful. The bad? This is an over the top extravaganza of tacky merchandizing. The rampant product placement and commercialism for a senior member of the BRF is hilarious, I admit, but so, so tacky.

    • Lorelei says:

      Product placement? I don’t think you know what that means, lol.

      There is no “merchandising” going on here, but sure.

      • Olenna says:

        Agree, Lorelei. The term product placement is not being used correctly. Regarding the merchandising and commercialism, apparently the OP believes Meghan should not wear or display in public any name brand items of clothing or accessories. The OP could have at least given Meghan a point or two for wearing vintage (recycled!) coats, since this is the second time she’s worn one.

      • Nic919 says:

        I mean only Party Pieces can monetize a shower. Everyone else is tacky.

      • jimbo says:

        They’re giving away 225 dollar Away suitcases, but no there’s no merchandising/product placement going on. You interested in a bridge I have to sell?

    • AhoyOy says:

      Do you think Serena Williams and Amal Clooney, two of the wealthiest women in this country, aren’t paying for this with their own money? These are not fake wealthy people like in England, there is no need for them to sponcon this baby shower. These are people who are liquid thanks to their own talents.

  54. hashtagwhat says:

    You guys, they are gifting $225 suitcases from AWAY for each of the guests. Goodie bags, like at the Oscars? Or the gifting suites?

    You HAVE to respect her hustle, but I just don’t see the long-term play here. See Lainey’s website for pretty much confirmation that this is definitely a play. https://www.laineygossip.com/meghan-markle-in-new-york-with-friends-including-serena-williams/52016

    Even Lainey says that this is the pap walk she’s always wanted. Strangely, it makes me really like her because I’m so in awe of her chutzpah.

    • Tina says:

      I love this, and her. You take on those tabloids, Meg. The long-term play is that the UK tabloids and royal reporters get tired of being called racist and…stop being racist. (At least towards Meghan – I don’t think there’s any hope they’ll stop being racist generally.) It’s a long shot, but it’s not like any other strategy has a chance of working.

    • Phoenix says:

      Yes I like Lainey’s take on it. She’s loving the attention and doing things her way. Nothing wrong with that but let’s not pretend she is some innocent set upon by the paparazzi. All staged as a big eff you to the British media.

    • OriginalCarol says:

      Hell yeah. She’s living her life on her own term!! For the past year and counting, her white trashy family and those mean and nasty critics/media have been leeching off her for their behalf. Now, she’s playing her own game and getting her dues. Nothing’s wrong with doing the pap strolls if it’s to her advantage. All celebrities do and the only difference between them is the degree of ridiculousness. She’s in big league now, like those A-listers i.e Jolie, Lawrence etc.. Good for her. Go get those real superstar flashbulbs, MM. She so deserved it for having to put up with BRF and some of them racist pearls-clutching hens.

    • jules says:

      Yea I think Lainey’s take on it is dead-on. Part of me thinks good for Meghan, the other part thinks that there will be a backlash to all this. And how long can this go on for? Where will Meghan be in 5, 10 years? Winning the game or desperate to get out?

  55. JadedBrit says:

    What is all this nonsense re “tackiness”? Not a phrase we tend to use this side of the Pond (though our own special brand of class laden snobbery can be conveyed by a single brow raise, Sean Connery style). I do feel rather sad for those for whom celebrating the upcoming birth of a child with a party is a pearl-clutching, select-your-comfortable-wall-and-last-cigarette-at-dawn offence. Let the woman breathe, for heaven’s sake: she’s exuding the confidence the redtops have been doing their damndest to knock out of her, looks happy and extremely beautiful (MAJOR hair envy), and is handling the media furor with dignity. I hope that she’s having a splendid time, and that the “other daughter” is gibbering with rage at the sight.

  56. Maxie says:

    New York isn’t the place you go to have privacy but someone probably leaked everything. My pick is that Mulroney woman. She seems thirsty.

    • notasugarhere says:

      A waitress from a restaurant called Page Six and outed her location for money.

      • mc135 says:

        WHEN WAS THAT CONFIRMED?

      • hashtagwhat says:

        Nota, Meghan’s Mirror tweeted that they had numerous details other than yesterday’s hotel departure, but that they didn’t share them for security reasons. They called it an editorial decision. So if there was a “leak” to Page Six, then it was a highly bogus one intended to prod Scobie into releasing his exclusive, which he did (by saying “since people can’t keep secrets anymore). He had planned to wait until after the trip was over, but didn’t want to lose his scoop. Meghan’s Mirror also said that this “event” was meant to have a photographic element to it. I usually really enjoy your royal commentary bc you know so much about the Windsors and all the other houses, but I think you’re reaching here.

        Again, this doesn’t mean lots of people and the RR don’t suck, but let’s just call this like we see it.

  57. Malak says:

    Was she well-known before Ginger married her? Was Suits a popular TV show nationwide and the actors the targets of the papz? I don’t think so. She is now followed BECAUSE she’s married to Ginger.
    IF it’s the rule of the BRF that presents must be given away, then she should not ignore that rule. I imagine Ginger will tell her that, OR he won’t care because he plans to leave his family.
    Who knows

    • Lorelei says:

      That IS NOT a rule. They aren’t supposed to accept “gifts” from companies or designers, and discounts are included in that. There is absolutely no rule whatsoever about accepting gifts from close friends.

      FFS the handwringing over these nonexistent protocols and rules is so exhausting.

      • Malak says:

        I don’t know , Lorelei. I think monarchies are obsolete. I said I read that they can’t accept gifts. IF that’s true, I’d guess there are rules what can and what can’t be accepted, and members of the RF should follow rules – period. I think the quicker MY rule is followed (no more monarchies) the better. LOL
        As for now, she should pay attention to the fact that she’s in the news because of this RF with the many rules she doesn’t like!.

    • Natalie S says:

      Why would there be a rule that presents from friends must be given away? Think about what you’re saying.

    • notasugarhere says:

      mallie, no rule about them not being able to accept personal gifts from friends. Lord, Charles was found selling gifts he’d received as part of foreign tours. Sophie got in trouble for accepting jewels from Bahrain as a personal gift. Camilla drips in jewels from the Saudis which are all personal gifts. But Meghan is wrong if her group of friends give her gifts at a baby shower? Please.

    • Bella DuPont says:

      Malak:

      Don’t take this the wrong way, but you seem to enjoy making confident pronouncements on issues you’re not very well versed on (I’ve seen you say so yourself a few times)…..

      Wouldn’t it be better to spend a little time bringing yourself up to full speed first and THEN issue your declaration?

      Eg: “Was she well known before Harry?” Reasonably well so. I knew her from Suits, and so did many millions of other fans of the show.

      “Was Suits a popular TV show nationwide?” Yes it was. It ran for 8 seasons, globally, in an extremely competitive industry.

      “She is now followed BECAUSE she’s married to Ginger.” Actually, she had millions of followers on social media long before she met Harry.

      I understanding the impulse to proselytize on such hot topics, all I’m saying is maybe do some of the research before hand…..it’s possible you might see things slightly differently afterwards.

      Just a thought. 🙂

      • Reason says:

        Point of Fact, she was not well known before Harry. Simply because you and some suits fan knew of her, does not mean she was well known.

        Suits was not an extremely well known show. It had a fan base as other cable shows do, but let’s not equate Suits as being as well known as a network show.

        She is being followed today because of who she married. She was doing fashion spreads for Reitmans before Harry. That’s not the sign of a well known person.

      • Bella DuPont says:

        Christ. Imagine being this bitter. ;/

  58. Rhys says:

    Well, well, after the pictures from the baby shower arrival I have to say – the whole thing is tacky as f@ck.

    Lainey said it right – Markle has never been such a draw before so this is her first ever celebrity style rollout that she’s probably dreamt of since she was a little girl…

    • Olenna says:

      Tacky as f@ck, hmm? Didn’t you just ask up thread why Kate wasn’t invited?

    • Bella DuPont says:

      Even if that we’re true, what I don’t understand is why you seem so hurt by it?

      Strange.

    • Bella DuPont says:

      Reason (lmao),

      Yes. I do have a problem with your illogical reasoning, as it happens.

      But that aside……I’m noticing increasingly that where Rhys seems hurt, you just seem really, really bitter at the past and recent successes of the Duchess of Success (lol….see what I did there? 😉 )

      Why though? (I’m really asking…..)

      I suspect she doesn’t really affect your life in any way and you *most certainly* cannot affect her life in any way whatsoever, no matter how incensed you are at any support for her…..

      So this venture of parading yourself up and down every comment section online, spewing bile and vitriol at a woman who doesn’t know you’re alive just seems a bit of a waste of good energy to me, that’s all I’m saying.

      I invite you, (once you’ve exhausted yourself, obviously), to join us in celebrating her and their love. 🙂

  59. notasugarhere says:

    Go check Beyonce’s instagram.

  60. notasugarhere says:

    @Kaiser, did you see the story about James Middleton in the DM?

  61. Clementine says:

    Let her celebrate an American tradition with her friends! This is a joyous time for her and Harry. Please remember that Meghan IS American and not expected to give up every single tradition and belief. My guess is that alot of “gifts” were either donations to charity or strictly sentimental. It was probably more about the visit and the meal rather than a shower of presents.

  62. JayneBirkinB says:

    Can we all just take a step back and look at the big picture? Any time a Royal (born to it or married into it, or divorced from it) goes to a big city with a paparazzi presence for a private trip, there is *always* the risk of getting found out. Mostly by virtue of doing the normal things people do when visiting big cities: eat out at restaurants, visit museums, go to theatrical shows. Just too many people around with ready-made cameras on smart phones, and low-paid service workers who can quickly find the NYPost phone number through a smart phone search. This just comes with the territory, and I’m amazed Meg & Friends were able to keep things quiet for as long as they did.

    When Harry, Wills, Bea and Eug came to Nashville for a wedding, they walked down a big bar scene street with lots of other wedding guests and friends to enjoy the atmosphere. Yes, the media took their photos. They didn’t let anyone break their stride, didn’t let anyone slow them down, they kept on moving (thank you Matthew Wilder). Same thing when Harry went to Vegas, etc. While I don’t know her personally, I suspect she and Harry weighed out the pros and cons, and decided that NYC was worth it.

    Avoiding big cities altogether would probably help limit paparazzi coverage, but it would also limit their ability to enjoy normal things that the rest of us enjoy (like a girl’s weekend to celebrate an upcoming baby).

    The DsOS is a human being, she has great talents, blind spots, and foibles, so does the DOS, and so does everyone else. So let’s all keep calm, and carry on.

  63. OriginalCarol says:

    For those who keep saying it’s tacky for MM to do this or that, of course, it’s your personal take but not to MM or Harry’s, is it?! Does it count? Nope. How do we know the Queen, for that matter, approve it or not? We don’t know until KP says otherwise. Everyone can have an opinion but whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter to MM or Harry. They will do what they want to do until the Queen tells them NO. And that’s only opinion that really counts to them. If it bothers some of you so much, write a petition or something. Don’t just sit there and b*tch about it over and over. Get over it.

  64. Guest says:

    Lol…beyonce giving a shout out to meghan. The haters are seething 😂😂😂

  65. K2Squared says:

    Meghan looks great, and I hope she’s enjoying her friends and time in NYC!!

  66. aquarius64 says:

    The baby shower news made it on YouTube’s Royal Family Channel

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P1JNPWSmZD4

    I thought official events were posted.

  67. blunt talker says:

    Harry and Meghan will do their royal duties to the best of their abilities. Their own personal time will be lived in an modern up-to-date way. The constant raging at Meg for the past four or five months goes to a medieval mindset. Their own personal time off and how to use it is their business. When they are on the clock working for the crown, the monarch will dictate how what they do. A pretty good balance to me .

  68. liriel says:

    I love Lainey’s take on this. Especially enjoying it, met gama and that she finally strolls through NY like JLaw.
    I love her for being herself but let’s admit it, it’s extravaganza to the max, she’s loving it and showing it off. Here on celebitchy Kate would be grilled for it but I get it, you love Meghan.
    I like heh unapologetically flaunting in NY FIERCE like Rihanna-like. She’s loving she’s so popular and A-level now! Good for her!

  69. RoyalBlue says:

    I wish the Katestans would stop with the ‘oh Kate would be roasted if she did this’ BS. Let’s get real. These are Meghan’s friends before she met Harry. She lived a life of travel, Soho, dinners, museums etc before she met Harry. She and her friends are working women who spend however they like. They are not ladies in waiting like Kate. Stop comparing them

  70. Zazu says:

    I’m not sure why people are so sensitive when it’s pointed out that Meghan or friends are making choices that deliberately put her in the public eye on this trip. She’s not just getting papped as a byproduct of celebrating in NYC. I think the biggest PR optics gain from this deliberate media circus is that Serena and Amal etc. are using their own fame as cover for Meghan.
    It’s a friend solidarity show, a way to push back on months of negative press, to publicly back Meghan as a dear friend. And saying that means I’m a Meg hater and Kate lover because….?! It’s not a criticism! It’s a smart Hollywood run around the British royal press.

    Personally I find the lavish and ostentatious lifestyle of the super-rich really frustrating in this era of inequality. But if Serena wants to splash out hundreds of thousands on Meghan and they all love a glam media photo op, that’s their prerogative. It certainly doesn’t make them any worse than any other mega celebrity. And given that they mostly seem aware of social issues this friend group is probably a more enlightened type of elite or celebrity then many others.

  71. Citresse says:

    Anyway you slice it, HM will not like this very public display of wealth.
    Harry, you idiot, pull the leash. But he won’t because Harry will be a father very soon now and it’s all he ever really wanted.

    • MA says:

      LOL the queen of England, who drips in diamonds and rotated between several palaces and estates, has a problem with public displays of wealth? By that logic, she has problems with Andrew and the Yorks’ over the top parties? Or Will & Kate’s luxury ski vacations where they bring family and staff? Make it make sense

      • Citresse says:

        HM does not like public displays of wealth. HM is a very religious woman and times in public yes she did wear jewellery over the top for state functions. This Is a baby shower: a private affair. HM had issues with Margo and her extravagance. It’s a well known fact.

  72. Agenbiter says:

    “Baby Shower Paper Cocktail Napkins Party Decor or Party Favors Kate Middleton Quote Pk 24
    Kate Middleton is the quintessential Mommy
    Use the Royals as a baby shower theme”