The Queen's Former Press Secretary Called Meghan Markle's Baby Shower Over the Top

(Image credit: James Devaney)

published 21 March 19

In February, Meghan Markle celebrated her baby shower in NYC with close friends.
Though it was a private event, the Duchess was spotted hanging out with friends across the city all weekend.
The Queen's former press secretary, Dickie Arbiter, called the baby shower "a bit over the top."

Last month, Meghan Markle celebrated her baby shower in NYC with some of her closest friends, including Serena Williams, Amal Clooney, Jessica Mulroney, and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer at The Mark Hotel in NYC. Royal fans were surprised to see the weekend of festivities so public, and now the Queen's former spokesperson is weighing in as well—calling the shower "over the top."

Dickie Arbiter, the Queen's press secretary until 2000, told US Weekly, “Baby showers, it’s very much an American thing. We don’t do it here in the U.K. It was a bit over the top in terms of expense and the way she got there.”

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

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He continued, “Meghan is American and she does things the American way”—which, like, he's not wrong. Meghan is American, so it makes sense that she would want to follow American tradition.

Though she originally flew to the States incognito, the Duchess didn't exactly try to hide her tea date with Mulroney, her dinner with Serena Williams, and the baby crib delivered to her as a present. It's unclear whether or not a second baby shower is still happening in London.

See Every Photo From Meghan Markle's Baby Shower Weekend

Image 1 of 7

Clothing, Eyewear, Vision care, Glasses, Trousers, Coat, Jacket, Outerwear, Jeans, Sunglasses,

Meghan cradles her bump while making her way through the crowd.

Image 1 of 7

Meghan cradles her bump while making her way through the crowd.

Image 2 of 7

Jeans, Blue, Fashion, Eyewear, Footwear, Denim, Event, Shoulder, Joint, Leg,

Image 3 of 7

Celebrity Sightings in New York City - February 19, 2019

Image 4 of 7

Motor vehicle, Event, Crowd, Premiere, Eyewear, Luxury vehicle, Vehicle, Bodyguard, Car,

Meghan makes her way to the car with paparazzi behind her.

Image 5 of 7

Street fashion, Clothing, Shoulder, Fashion, Outerwear, Hairstyle, Bag, Jeans, Snapshot, Handbag,

Meghan leaves The Met Breuer Museum.

Image 6 of 7

Meghan and Abigail are spotted on the Upper East Side together.

Image 7 of 7

Beanie, Fashion, Event, Organ, Headgear, Interaction, Jeans, Outerwear, Knit cap, Black hair,

Meghan meeting Serena for dinner with friend Markus Anderson at The Polo Bar.

Either way, it's Meghan's baby and she can do what she wants. Let the Duchess live!

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Meghan Markle Is Having an NYC Baby Shower

Rachel Epstein

Rachel Epstein is an editor at Marie Claire, where she writes and edits culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also manages the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game, finding a new coffee shop, or analyzing your cousin's birth chart—in no particular order.