A venue fit for royalty served as the backdrop for Meghan Markle's 2019 baby shower. On a snowy February day, the year before she and Prince Harry stepped back as senior members of the royal family, the Duchess of Sussex was showered with love by friends at New York's luxurious The Mark Hotel.
The 16-story neo-Italian Renaissance, landmark building, located on the corner of 77th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan, was designed by architects Schwartz & Gross in 1926. The property offers 106 rooms, 44 suites and three penthouses.
The Mark Penthouse on the hotel's 16th floor is where Meghan's baby shower was held. The penthouse spanning 10,000 square feet is the largest in the country. It features four bedrooms, four fireplaces, five full bathrooms, two powder rooms, two wet bars, a Technogym fitness room and spa, in addition to a 2,500-square-foot rooftop terrace complete with a cold plunge. Described as the hotel's "ravishing grand penthouse," the residence comes with a crown-worthy bill, costing $100,000 per night, plus tax.
Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, Gayle King, Daniel Martin, Jessica Mulroney and Abigail Spencer were among the guests who gathered at the penthouse for the baby shower to celebrate the Duchess, who was pregnant with her and Harry's first child, son Prince Archie, at the time. The festivities that day included flower arranging, with the flowers later donated to charity.
"My girlfriends surprised me with a really beautiful baby shower in New York," the Suits alum recalled in her and Harry's 2022 Netflix docuseries. "They're like, 'We're going to shower her with love and shower her baby"...and boy did they in style!"
© James Devaney/GC ImagesMeghan later confirmed in court papers that the event was "organised and hosted by one of her best friends from university," with 15 guests in attendance. Missing from the celebration in the Big Apple was the Duchess' mother Doria Ragland, who was unable to attend due to work commitments.
© GC ImagesHELLO!'s special invite:
While in New York to film a special episode of A Right Royal Podcast at HELLO!'s first live recording in the United States this summer, the HELLO! team toured the gorgeous penthouse at The Mark Hotel.
Watch the video for an inside look at the jaw-dropping space that was the setting for Meghan's Upper East Side baby shower.
Watch the full podcast:
And, if you'd like to watch the full podcast episode from New York, where the HELLO! team explored the royal family's love affair with the city that never sleeps, keep scrolling. The podcast is also available to watch in your VIP Members' Area.
© Mike McGregor
