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I have just arrived in Morocco where, tomorrow, the Duchess of Susbad will resume her royal duties abroad after this "private" (but very public) visit to New York.
I am struck with all my heart. In recent days, she has written an article about Meghan's cost of traveling for her baby shower – the American tradition that friends organize a birthday party for the expectant mother and bring presents.
The venue – a penthouse suite at the Mark hotel in New York – was it several thousand dollars a night; baby gifts from upscale stores cost this or that; the private jet returning to the UK cost so many thousands of pounds per hour in the air.
But we should not be surprised that Meghan has rich friends.
The star of tennis, Serena Williams, has a few dollars to his name. . The same goes for the actor George Clooney and his wife Amal. Jessica Mulroney, Megan's friend in Toronto, is the daughter-in-law of the former prime minister. Another of his friends, Markus Anderson, is the boss of the exclusive chain of private Soho House clubs.
So far, nothing remarkable.
Because we are talking about someone who got involved in these social circles before starting out with Prince Harry.
And although she is moving her life to London and giving up her acting career, she has kept as many of her friends as her new royal life will allow, as the Duchess of Susbad will allow.
who wanted to organize a party for the Duchess before delivery.
Serena Williams paid the cost of the suite of the hotel.
The private jet home was with Amal Clooney, who was returning to the office. United Kingdom with her children.
Did British taxpayers pay for one of the tickets? As far as we know, no
there were police officers of the Metropolitan Police. And while Kensington Palace does not comment on security issues, their salaries for the stay in New York – and some of their expenses – came from public funds.
But from what I know of the royal security, the officers would have been in service anyway on the days in question.
Did it imply an extravagance of a magnitude that most of us could never afford? Of course yes. But do a lot of other things. We think of banquets at political summits like the G7
Prince William and Kate take their children skiing, many people can not afford to do the same with their family.
Princess Eugene and Jack, newlyweds, have famous friends and do not hide them from cameras at their wedding.
The royal family – like many celebrities – has riches and privileges, but also houses and staff beyond the understanding of most people.
But unlike most celebrities, it's rare that you show it so openly and this may explain why this celebrity night has sparked so much interest.
In fact, the queen is known to be rather parsimonious (think her electric two-bar radiator in some of the photographs of Buckingham Palace.) So I wonder what she thought of the sumptuous baby shower in New York for her future great-grandchild as she flipped through her morning papers this week?
Some people are rich. Meghan has wealthy friends. Celebrities use private jets.
This should be of concern only if it interferes with the work that it does or the fact that it is publicly funded.
And on this point, it does not seem to be the case.
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