Palace aide 'rolled their eyes' when Meghan had 'common' baby shower

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A Buckingham Palace aide "rolled their eyes" when they discussed Meghan Markle's US baby shower with royal correspondents, it's claimed.

Omid Scobie, who wrote Finding Freedom, a biography on Harry and Meghan, told Channel 4 the aides considered the shower "common".

Speaking on a documentary airing on 19 May, Scobie said: "We had never seen someone throw this very lavish affair to celebrate the impending arrival of a baby."

He added: "I remember speaking to a palace aide at the time who rolled their eyes, they were horrified that something so common was happening within the House of Windsor."

Comedian Shappi Khorsandi jokingly said: "This is what happens when your grandson marries... out."

Ingrid Seward, a royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine described the shower as "trashy", saying: "They walked in through the front entrance carrying these enormous bags from the most expensive shops in New York.

"Crowds gathered because they were all celebrities, you had Gayle King, Serena Williams and Amal Clooney. "

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, exits The Mark Hotel following her baby shower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 20, 2019. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
Meghan leaving The Mark Hotel following her baby shower in New York City. (Reuters/Andrew Kelly) (Andrew Kelly / Reuters)
TV Host Gayle King arrives at a hotel for what local media are reporting as a baby shower for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
TV Host Gayle King arriving for the baby shower for Meghan. (Reuters/Carlo Allegri) (Carlo Allegri / Reuters)
Misha Nonoo arrives at a hotel for what local media are reporting as a baby shower for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
Misha Nonoo, a good friend of Meghan's, was another of the stars at her baby shower. (Reuters/Carlo Allegri) (Carlo Allegri / reuters)

Read more: Here's how Harry and Meghan have marked their third wedding anniversary

Scobie admitted the idea of a baby shower was "as far from British tradition as you can get".

Julie Montagu, who is the Viscount Hitchingbrooke, said she was told baby showers were "bad luck" adding "in America nothing really is bad luck - you want to celebrate everything".

Montagu is herself an American who married into British aristocracy.

The remark by Scobie demonstrates just one of the differences between Meghan and the palace when she married into the Royal Family.

Meghan flew to New York City when she was pregnant with Archie for the baby shower with her friends.

It was reported that they used the penthouse suite of The Mark hotel, with the bill for the event costing £200,000.

Amal Clooney arrives at a hotel for what local media are reporting as a baby shower for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
Amal Clooney was also invited to the baby shower, having attended Meghan and Harry's wedding. (Reuters/Carlo Allegri) (Carlo Allegri / reuters)
Jessica Mulroney arrives at a hotel for what local media are reporting as a baby shower for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
Jessica Mulroney, one of Meghan's best friends, at the shower. (Reuters/Carlo Allegri) (Carlo Allegri / reuters)

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The duchess is reportedly not having a shower for her second born.

Scobie also reflected on their decision to keep the names of the godparents secret, after having a very private christening for Archie in Windsor.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose a different approach from Prince William and Kate's, who allowed cameras to capture them arriving at each christening, though the service itself has always been private.

Details of the royal children's godparents have then been released. But Harry and Meghan decided not to release those details or to allow any pictures as they arrived at their service.

Scobie said: "If one of those godparents is Oprah - and I’m not saying that she is - then you can understand why perhaps they want to keep that to themselves because even Oprah sitting down to interview them was controversial enough in itself."

Winfrey has formed a friendship with the couple over the last few years, even sending Archie a library of books and promoting a company Meghan had invested in on her Instagram.

Harry worked with the TV show host on a mental health series for Apple TV, which is out on Friday.

A Very Royal Baby: From Cradle to Crown, is on Channel 4 at 9pm on 19 May.

Watch: Jodie Tuner-Smith: The royal family missed chance to modernise with Meghan

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