On March 31st, 2007, the European continent was rocked by a royal event heretofore unseen in this part of the world: The Coolest, Craziest, Queenliest baby shower EVER THROWN this side of the Mississippi (or the other side too, for that matter!) !

For weeks – nay, months – my friend Sally had been busily planning an American-style baby party for little Sophie, and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out WHAT she was up to. Totally secretive, all details hidden from me (I had to beg to even be disclosed the date and time), but seemingly everyone in Western Europe and the States was in on the secret. The checker in the grocery store… my masseuse … friends that live thousands of miles away …would practically all announce confidently “oh I heard about your baby shower!” It was thoroughly unnerving, first to think that national security measures had been drawn upon for this event, and second to think that with all the baby showers I myself have thrown for girlfriends, I must have really missed the boat because I NEVER planned like THIS!

I knew something monumental was in the works when my own MOTHER announced she would be flying out to Hamburg for the weekend to attend! When I informed my friend Kirstan (one of Sally’s Top Secret Helpers), she replied “oh yes, we know”. I wondered if the American Consulate in Hamburg knew too. Every time I spoke with Sally, she was “meeting with so-and-so to do secret shower stuff”. I think NASA itself does less secret stuff in a year than Sally did in the month leading up to this event. Two days before the shower, even Soenke himself mysteriously disappeared on a Secret Mission to Sally’s House. It was all highly suspicious…I was thoroughly mystified…

So back to March 31st. My mom still had not arrived – stranded in JFK thanks to a missed -flight – she finally hit German turf a mere hour before the start of the festivities. We hit the road for the location.. gleefully passing the many fully-pinked-out cherry blossom trees in full bloom all over the city… and as we pulled up in front of the building were delighted with little clues leading us up to the party room: balloons, signs, pink tissue garlands…

And then I walked in to the most beautiful sight I have ever seen: about 25 women wearing BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE CROWNS in a fully-decked-out party hall, pink and white tulle lining the windows, a gorgeous platform fully decked out in colorful tulle, stunningly-wrapped gifts, a THRONE in the center, vases of colorful tulips, helium balloons filling the ceiling, and tables full of the most delectable appetizers and cakes you have EVER SEEN. Champagne, juices, herbal tea, homemade punch… anything a pregnant or non-pregnant woman’s heart could desire…it was right here, this room called heaven, on a sunny spring day in Hamburg! I was overcome and had to find a tissue to quell the tears of joy… and then up walked Sally with my OWN Audrey-Hepburn crown that I had specially shipped to Germany several months ago (much to Soenke’s chagrin) – totally sparkling and ready for this auspicious occasion – and then a scepter was placed in my hand, a royal sash announcing “Mom To Be!” adorned my shoulders, and I was Queened for a day. I am quite sure I heard coronation music playing in my head, as I started to float about a foot off the floor, feeling sure that this was the most thrilling days of my life! Princess Sophie began thrashing around in the royal belly, obviously upset that all this fun was happening while she was still in-utero!

I was utterly staggered. For the first time ever, I had wonderful ladies-in-waiting… Lady Kirstan dashed around filling my plate and cup, and ensured that I put the throne to good use… Lady Sally kept all the action moving, and after the royal court had partaken of the massive banquet, we settled down for some serious gift opening. I don’t think I have ever seen so many gifts – it was simply mind-boggling… the most beautiful baby outfits you have ever seen, lusciously-soft baby blankets, brilliant nursery accessories I never even knew I needed, baby massage tools, BABY SUPERMODEL SUNGLASSES, my own babyhood silver Tiffany rattle now also engraved with Sophie’s initials, and even the coveted Pack-N-Play that all new moms know and love. I was fully stocked for this baby and the next two!

In between flying wrapping paper, photo snapping, and much laughter… were the Royal Games. We had baby bingo, we had “Identify-The-Baby-Food-In-The-Diaper” (totally disgusting yet hilarious), guess the size of the Queen’s girth (in my book, Tracy Moede won that for guessing the *smallest* size), match the baby picture with the lady-in-waiting, and more! Also, the Ladies of the Court took turns in hand-painting a special bowl and mug just for Sophie. Lady Kara supplied the Royal Court with their own Princess mugs (complete with crown motif) filled with delicious AMERICAN Reeses’ cups and Hershey’s kisses (thank you Kim for sending!) Come to think of it, half the décor was specially shipped from the States by Ladies Lorie and Kimberlicious… both sadly stuck stateside for this royal event, but incredibly resourceful in supplying the Court with a staggering supply of Princess-themed items for the party! Someone finally showed me one of the shower invitations – it was an utter work of art, worthy of the Louvre itself. And for the final coups-de-grace, I was shown a photo album made for me that very day, full of photos of each party guest wearing their crown!

Fully stoked with fun, love, laughter, gifts, and 3 pieces of cake (marzipan, After-Eight, and rhubarb), I decided that I would like to be a queen EVERY day!

But more than anything, I was touched beyond belief that my friend Lady Sally would have conceived of an event of this magnitude for Sophie and me… It touched me at the deepest part of my soul. She amassed incredible contributions from every single guest… packages were shipped from every corner of the globe, Hamburg kitchens blazed with cooking for the event, Lady Sally and Lady Irmi spent endless hours handmaking the gorgeous crowns (“No! Amin! Don’t eat the plastic jewels!”), my friends contributed time and effort and funds and brilliant ideas and everything else. If there was one thing I learned, is that I have the most incredible group of friends in Hamburg, and I am deeply grateful every day for this blessing. It was an amazing outpouring of love and support, and if THAT doesn’t make you feel royal, I don’t know what does !!!!!!!!!

(And who doesn’t think that Sally has missed her life calling as a professional party planner!!!)

Lady Klaudia the Royal Photographer did a stunning job of documenting the event, and Lady Kirstan tossed in a few fine photos for good measure too:

Mom finally slides in to Hamburg airport, straight from California (and a surprise overnighter in NY!)

We spot some clues leading us to the shower…

And look who is greeting us! Lady Sally and the young Prince Amin!

Lady Kirstan confirms the stage is set and ready for action:

Lady Sally and Lady Susan attend the Queen:

Girls With Crowns!

Lady Susan brought the most amazing marzipan cake from the chic-est baker in town:

And Lady Irmi handmade this utterly delectable “After Eight” cake (yes, that’s all chocolate creme and mint…mmmm)

The Royal Court wastes no time in enjoying the royal banquet!

Lady Kara presents Princess Mugs to each of the ladies in waiting, filled with chocolate yummies courtesy of Ladies Lorie & Kim:

And the first gift of the day (snugly tucked in our favorite silver Nordstrom box!) is a smashing LEOPARD baby blanket! Meee-ooow!

Princess Nora royally reclines…

Lady Klaudia exercises her artistic talent:

Lady Kara & Princess Erika seem to have misplaced their crowns!

Sophie’s First SUPERMODEL SUNGLASSES! (THANK YOU LADY KIRSTAN !!)

Lady Holly & Lady Alyssa try to measure out how much pink string will wrap exactly around my belly:

But Lady Susan has the most precise guess!

Sophie’s future Hawaii outfit !

Lady Tina teaches us how to identify baby food.. EEEEW why in a DIAPER? GROSS!

Lady Sally handmade this unbelievable diaper cake!

Another DARLING baby outfit for the Princess!

The Queen (I’m wearing my new Princess cap AND my crown!) displays the Royal Jewels …

The Queen Mums (Antje & Joy) pose with the Queen!