Jeremy Clarkson has launched a fresh attack on Meghan Markle, criticizing her 2019 baby shower as “stupid” and “unroyal.” The Duchess of Sussex, who celebrated the impending arrival of her son Archie in New York with a lavish event, has drawn Clarkson’s ire for what he perceives as an ostentatious and untraditional display.
In his column for The Sunday Times, the outspoken TV personality didn’t mince words when discussing Meghan’s baby shower, which was attended by her A-list friends and hosted at The Mark’s exclusive penthouse suite. “The Duchess of Sussex was criticized for taking a private jet to attend her baby shower in New York,” Clarkson wrote, referencing the controversy that surrounded Meghan’s choice of transport. He added that the event itself was “a stupid, unroyal thing to do.”
The baby shower, which took place in February 2019, was a star-studded affair with celebrity guests including tennis champion Serena Williams, fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney, and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. The luxurious celebration, held in a suite with a nightly rate of £57,000 ($75,000), sparked criticism not just for its extravagance but also for its perceived deviation from British royal traditions.
Clarkson isn’t the only one to question the appropriateness of the event. Shortly after the shower, former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter weighed in, noting that baby showers are primarily an American custom, rarely observed within the British royal family. “Baby showers, it’s very much an American thing. We don’t do it here in the UK,” Arbiter said in an interview with US Weekly.
While Meghan’s baby shower may have raised eyebrows, it’s worth noting that she wasn’t the first royal to partake in such festivities. The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, reportedly had a baby shower before the birth of her first child, Prince George, in 2013. According to The Telegraph, Kate’s shower received the Queen’s approval and was organized by her sister, Pippa Middleton.
Royal commentator Omid Scobie also reflected on the Palace’s reaction to Meghan’s celebration in the Channel 4 documentary A Very Royal Baby: From Cradle to Crown. Scobie recalled speaking to a palace aide at the time who was less than enthusiastic about the event. “They were horrified that something so common was happening within the House of Windsor,” he said. However, another aide dismissed the notion that the baby shower was a cause for concern, stating that such celebrations are “very common in the UK.”
Despite the mixed reactions, Meghan’s baby shower continues to be a topic of discussion, particularly as the royal family navigates the balance between tradition and modernity.
