Duchess of Sussex spotted out and about in New York ahead of 'baby shower' with close friends

The Duchess of Sussex has been spotted at several upmarket venues in New York ahead of her reported private baby shower.

Meghan, who is seven months pregnant, is spending time with her closest confidantes on the low-key visit without her husband Prince Harry.

The duchess, 37, was seen entering The Mark hotel on Manhattan's Upper East Side, at a restaurant on the ground floor of The Met Breuer and at The Surrey Hotel.

The royal was hard to miss as she walked out of The Mark cradling her baby bump, dressed in a stylish black William Vintage trapeze coat, black trousers and suede nude stilettos with oversized black sunglasses.

She was surrounded by armed officers said to be from the US State Department, as well as several plain clothes protection officers.

Her close friend and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer was pictured entering the hotel holding a gift bag just moments before.

As photographers waited outside The Mark, a high-end boxed baby cot and pink flowers were delivered.

She then made her way to the Met Breuer, which is located just a few blocks away from The Mark.

Meghan was pictured spending some time in the museum restaurant before deciding to have a more private lunch across the street at The Surrey Hotel with Ms Spencer.

The pair were later pictured leaving the hotel and later returned to The Mark, which is reportedly the venue of the intimate baby shower being thrown for Meghan by 15 of her friends during her stay.

Shortly after, Meghan's close friend and fashion designer Misha Nonoo made her way into The Mark.

Following a busy day, the duchess stepped out for dinner at Ralph Lauren's restaurant at The Polo Bar with friends Serena Williams, Jessica Mulroney and Markus Anderson.

Meghan appeared in high spirits as she entered the restaurant, located in the heart of Manhattan.

She changed into a navy Victoria Beckham coat, the same one she wore on Christmas Day and black Tamara Mellon boots.

Meghan, who has not visited the US since marrying Harry, is set to give birth in late April or early May.

She spent Valentine's Day with Harry after he returned to the UK following a trip to Norway with the Royal Marines.

The couple are due to visit Morocco on Saturday at the request of the British government.

Her solo trip to the US comes just days after five of her unnamed close friends spoke to People in a bid to counter the "global bullying" directed at her by the media.

One friend said Meghan's father has never tried to contact his daughter, telling the magazine: "He's never called; he's never texted. It's super painful."