Meghan Markle has recently addressed the controversy surrounding her extravagant baby shower in 2019, expressing her confusion and frustration over the intense scrutiny she faced.
The Duchess of Sussex, who was pregnant with her and Prince Harry’s son Archie at the time, traveled to New York City for a surprise baby shower held at the luxurious Mark Hotel in Manhattan.
The event garnered attention due to its star-studded guest list and lavishness.
Despite the grandeur of the occasion, Meghan has never quite understood why the affair received such harsh criticism from both the public and the palace.
In a recent episode of the Netflix series, she candidly shared her thoughts on the matter.
Meghan questioned why such a beautiful moment was targeted for ruin and expressed her confusion about the negative reaction.
Furthermore, Meghan emphasized that her friends had personally financed the baby shower, which meant that the press had no right to tear it down.
However, she raised an intriguing point – how did the media find out about the event in the first place?
It seemed unlikely that anyone would have known unless someone had leaked the information.
This led to speculation that Meghan herself may have intentionally planted the news, as she desired attention and association with prominent figures in a public setting.
Additionally, Meghan arranged for her and the guests to enter the hotel through the main entrance, contrary to the usual practice of high-profile individuals entering through the back.
According to Tom Bower’s book, Serena Williams’ publicists were asked by Sunshine Sachs to organize the baby shower.
In return, Serena was promised the opportunity to promote her clothing line.
Similarly, other guests were offered PR or career perks as part of launching Meghan’s brand in the US.
This suggests that Meghan viewed her role as a royal duchess more as a platform for celebrity rather than focusing solely on royalty.
The reported $500,000 baby shower received mixed reactions from various sources.
Patrick Jeffs, Diana’s longtime private secretary, commented on the event, describing it as excessive.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward went further, labeling the affair as “trashy” due to its star-studded guest list and opulent location.
Crowds gathered outside the hotel to catch a glimpse of the celebrities in attendance, including Gayle King from CBS, Serena Williams, and Amal Clooney.
Dickie Arbiter, the former press secretary for the late Queen until 2000, expressed his perspective on baby showers, stating that they are not a common tradition in the UK.
He acknowledged that Meghan’s American background likely influenced her decision to have one.
Arbiter also commented on the expense of the event and the manner in which Meghan arrived, highlighting the differences in cultural practices.
In a recent episode of “Harry and Meghan,” Meghan shared never-before-seen photos from the star-studded baby shower.
The pictures showcased the A-list group, including Serena Williams, placing their hands on Meghan’s baby bump and posing together on the couch.
Meghan herself was dressed in a navy blue sleeveless dress with white polka dots, adding to the elegance of the occasion.