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Meghan Markle faced criticism after she took a luxurious private jet to New York City in 2019 for her baby shower, sparking a debate over the appropriateness of her actions as a member of the British Royal Family. The Duchess of Sussex, who was expecting her first child, Archie, at the time, attended the lavish event via a Royal aircraft, a move that many found extravagant.
Commenting on the situation, British television personality and columnist Jeremy Clarkson expressed his disapproval in the Express. “The Duchess of Sussex was criticized for taking a private jet to attend her baby shower in New York. And not just because a baby shower is a stupid, unroyal thing to do,” Clarkson remarked, highlighting the general sentiment that such a gesture seemed out of place for someone in Meghan’s position.
The baby shower, which is a common tradition in the United States, was seen as an unusual and excessive event by many in the UK, where such celebrations are not typically part of royal customs. Royal expert Dickie Arbiter weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the cultural differences. Speaking to US Weekly, Arbiter explained, “Baby showers, it’s very much an American thing. We don’t do it here in the UK.”
Arbiter further criticized the choice of transportation, describing it as unnecessarily extravagant. “It was a bit over the top in terms of expense and the way she got there. Meghan is American and she does things the American way,” he noted, implying that Meghan’s actions might have been more understandable within the context of her American upbringing, but they clashed with the more reserved traditions of the British Royal Family.
The use of a private jet, especially for an event like a baby shower, sparked a significant backlash, with critics arguing that it contradicted the values of modesty and duty often associated with the Royals. The incident added to the growing scrutiny surrounding Meghan and Prince Harry’s lifestyle choices, which have frequently been at odds with the public’s expectations of royalty.
As the debate over Meghan’s baby shower and the private jet continues to resurface, it serves as a reminder of the cultural divide between the Duchess’s American roots and the British traditions she married into. The criticism from figures like Clarkson and Arbiter underscores the challenges Meghan faced in navigating her role within the Royal Family, where every action is closely watched and often judged against centuries-old standards.
