The Duchess of Sussex has flown back to the UK by private jet after enjoying a lavish baby shower with celebrity friends in New York City.

Seven-months-pregnant Meghan spent several days in the Big Apple with A-listers including Amal Clooney and Serena Williams before boarding the flight home on Wednesday evening.

Meghan in New York
Meghan in New York (Kevin Hagen/AP)

The duchess, 37, celebrated the impending arrival of her child in what is reportedly the most expensive hotel room in the US – the Penthouse Suite in the five-star Mark Hotel, which costs a reported 75,000 dollars (£57,000) per night.

The glamorous venue, in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, overlooks Central Park and describes itself as the city’s “most boldly lavish hotel”.

Meghan, wearing a black jumpsuit, baseball cap, and tan coat, was pictured leaving the hotel’s gold-and-black awning before video footage captured her appearing to board a Gulfstream G450 plane on a snow-covered runway.

Amal Clooney arrives for the baby shower
Amal Clooney arriving for the baby shower (Kevin Hagen/AP)

The mother-to-be will resume royal duties by joining husband Harry on a three-day tour of Morocco on Saturday.

Pop superstar Beyonce and rapper husband Jay-Z congratulated the duchess on her pregnancy after the couple won a Brit Award.

Beyonce posted a picture on social media of the couple posing in front of a regal painting of Meghan dressed in a tiara, pearls and royal finery, with the caption: “Congrats on your pregnancy! We wish you so much joy.”

Joining human rights lawyer Clooney and tennis superstar Williams in New York was Abigail Spencer, who starred with Meghan in the US TV drama Suits.

Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney, whose daughter Ivy was a bridesmaid at Meghan and Harry’s wedding, was also there.

Jessica Mulroney arriving at the Mark Hotel
Jessica Mulroney arriving at the Mark Hotel (Kevin Hagen/AP)

Other celebrities included harpist Erin Hill, fashion designer Misha Nonoo and television presenter Gayle King, all close friends of the duchess.

Activities during the week included visiting the Met Breuer museum of modern and contemporary art and dinner at Ralph Lauren’s restaurant the Polo Bar, according to media reports.

Travel for the trip was privately funded, Kensington Palace said.

Meghan is preparing to give birth in late April or early May.