For those of you who love to hate Meghan Markle, I've got news for you...this is not the time to do it. After the mom-to-be had a star-studded baby shower in New York City, many people began to criticize the Duchess of Sussex for breaking royal protocol. However, according to Ingrid Seward, author of the biography My Husband & I about the Queen and Prince Philip, Markle did no such thing.
Seward says there isn't any protocol that prohibits members of the royal family from having a baby shower, even though they are largely an American tradition. She says that they've been making their way to the U.K. for over two decades now, and she believes that Kate Middleton also had one, it was just "very private."
"We've been brainwashed to see them having a humble life, on vacation in the rain in Scotland," Seward points out. "We aren't used to seeing our royal family doing things we'd like to do. Some British people might feel it is a bit flash, but it's just that we are not used to seeing them acting like celebrities. And Meghan is a celebrity."
People were also a little upset about how public Markle's shower was, but that's just the way things go.
"The Brits don't have them in restaurants or hotels. Someone hosts them in a private house," Seward explains. "New Yorkers do everything in restaurants and hotels. It's a different culture."
To be fair, Markle's shower was more than a little flashy. The former Suits actress held her shower at The Mark hotel in New York, and even had a cotton candy machine. Celebrities like Amal Clooney, Gayle King, Jessica Mulroney, Abigail Spencer, and Serena Williams were all in attendance.
"I thought she looked so happy," Seward said of Markle at her shower. "She has worked so hard, and there she was having a bit of fun. She looked so at home and so happy."
Although, if you're going to complain about the cost of the shower, it's important to note that it doesn't seem as though the shower was paid for by the royal family at all. In fact, Serena Williams reportedly footed the bill for the entire event, which cost around $200,000 USD. As for the flight back the U.K., Markle hitched a ride with Amal Clooney on her private jet, who was traveling back with her kids.
Seward says Markle's baby shower shouldn't cause any riff in the royal family. In fact, she thinks it will be the opposite.
"If anyone in the royal family criticizes, they are envious that they didn't have that too," she says. "If she even knows about it, the Queen will think, "˜I'm delighted the girl's enjoying herself.' There may be a bit of in-house sniping from courtiers but not from her."
And Seward's final take on Markle running to NYC for a baby shower?
"Everybody needs a break," she says.
Personally, I think Markle having a baby shower with her friends is totally fine. The woman has had to give up everything, including one of her dogs, since marrying in to the royal family. Sure, you could argue that she has a much more lavish life now and it's worth it, but having to be "on" all the time must be exhausting for the former actress, who will face a whole new world of scrutiny when she welcomes her baby.
[H/T: People]
