Baby showers aren’t usually a big deal in the UK, especially with the royals, but Duchess Meghan has never been your average royal.
The Duchess of Sussex flew into New York City on Friday to catch up with her US pals and of course, celebrate the close arrival of Baby Sussex with her girlfriends at the Upper East Side hotspot, the Mark Hotel.
WATCH: A-List guests arrive at Duchess Meghan’s baby shower. Story continues below…
*Tatler** reports that the shower, held in The Mark’s luxurious penthouse suite is being hosted by the duchess’s close friends Amal Clooney and Serena Williams. And while we saw deliveries of gorgeous baby furniture and plenty of seasonal flowers, it’s her A-list friends that everyone was keen to catch a glimpse of.
At Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding last year, celebs galore crammed into St George’s Chapel from all walks of life, but who were the ladies celebrating with Duchess Meghan?
Keep scrolling for our comprehensive breakdown.
Abigail Spencer
We caught a glimpse of Duchess Meghan and her former Suits co-star heading off to a lunch date the day before, but Abigail Spencer was first to arrive at the shower with a mystery suitcase and gift bag in tow.
The actress first hinted she was heading to Meghan’s baby shower when she shared a snap of herself with the same suitcase via her Instagram stories.
Abigail was also in attendance at the royal wedding along with many of her fellow Suits cast mates.
Suits star Abigail Spencer kept a low profile as she arrived at Duchess Meghan’s baby shower. (Image: Getty)
Gayle King
US TV presenter Gayle King and co-anchor of CBS This Morning is clearly crazy about the royals and has been for a long time.
Speaking to Stephen Colbert ahead of the royal wedding, she confessed she woke up at 4am to watch Princess Diana’s wedding and her funeral and said Meghan, a former working actress and university graduate, is a great addition to the British royal family.
“They really have embraced her and I think this is great.”
While her bestie Oprah Winfrey was a guest at the royal wedding last year, Gayle was busy reporting on the event. But dressed in her deep purple coat and carrying a bright gift bag, the TV journalist was able to relax this time as a guest of the Duchess.
Gayle King’s bright look brought some colour to the dreary day. (Image: Getty)
Misha Nonoo
Without Misha Nonoo, we may not have the gorgeous couple that is Harry and Meghan in the first place.
The fashion designer is rumoured to have set up Prince Harry and the then-Meghan Markle on their first blind date and is one of the duchess’s closest friends.
She was spotted carrying a large white gift bag from interiors company Rani Arabella into the hotel.
Not only does Misha have Baby Sussex’s arrival to look forward to, but she recently became engaged to millionaire oil heir Michael Hess who confirmed the news on his Instagram account.
Looks like Duchess Meghan will have to make another sneaky trip to the US for the wedding!
Fashion designer Misha Nonoo looked ultra chic in her grey plaid coat. (Image: Getty)
Jessica Mulroney
It wouldn’t be a Meghan party without her bestie PR maven and stylist, Jessica Mulroney.
After relocating to Toronto to work on Suits, the Duchess of Sussex and stylist Jessica became fast friends.
Jessica’s daughter Ivy and twin boys Brian and John featured in the royal wedding bridal party and on Harry and Meghan’s royal tour of Australia, 39-year-old Jessica also accompanied the couple to Sydney.
Since Meghan touched down in New York, Jessica was spotted enjoying lunch with her and Serena Williams, and indulged in some afternoon tea at Ladurée in Soho.
Meghan’s unofficial stylist Jessica Mulroney cut a stylish figure in black. (Image: Getty)
Amal Clooney
Talk about making an entrance!
Human rights lawyer and style icon entered the Mark Hotel in a red hot jumpsuit by Sergio Hudson with her assistant carrying in what we assume to be an assortment of baby gifts.
Amal is rumoured to have been the occasion’s co-host along with Serena Williams and it seems like she and the Duchess of Sussex have a close bond.
Not only did Amal and her husband George Clooney attend the royal wedding, but Harry and Meghan have reportedly vacationed at the Clooneys’ Lake Como property in Italy and London local Amal has been helping Meghan adjust to life in the UK.
Amal’s husband, George has also recently spoken out and defended Meghan, saying she’s “being pursued” by the media the same way the late Princess Diana was.
Red Hot: Amal Clooney brought some brightness to Meghan’s baby shower. (Image: Getty)
Serena Williams
While she wasn’t snapped making a grand entrance like the others, Amal’s co-host Serena Williams was most certainly there to join in the baby shower fun.
The tennis champ shared a selfie to Instagram from the Mark Hotel bathrooms- you can just see the logo on the towels behind and stayed the night before with Meghan at the hotel after their dinner date.
On her now defunct lifestyle blog The Tig, the then-Meghan Markle that Serena “quickly became a confidante I would text when I was traveling, the friend I would rally around for her tennis matches, and the down to earth chick I was able to grab lunch with.”
“We’re both the same age, have a penchant for hot sauces and adore fashion, but what connects us more than those things is perhaps our belief in exceeding expectations – our endless ambition.”
