Royals Serena Williams Reveals Planning Friend Meghan Markle's Baby Shower Took 'a Lot of Effort' This past February, Serena Williams helped plan the baby shower for her longtime pal at The Mark Hotel in New York City By Joelle Goldstein Joelle Goldstein Instagram Twitter Joelle Goldstein is the Staff Editor of TV for PEOPLE Digital. She has been with the brand for five years, beginning her time as a digital news writer, where she covered everything from entertainment news to crime stories and royal tours. Since then, she has worked as a writer-reporter on the Human Interest team and an associate editor on the TV team. In her current role, Joelle helps oversee all things TV, and enjoys being able to say she has to watch The Kardashians, America's Got Talent, Love Is Blind and Dancing with the Stars for her "work" responsibilities. Prior to joining PEOPLE, Joelle was employed at The Hollywood Reporter, where she was co-nominated at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Magazine Article for feature cover story. She graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor's degree in Television-Radio (and an appearance in the NCAA Women's Volleyball Final Four!) People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 23, 2019 10:42 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Serena Williams may be busy, but she always makes sure to prioritize her friendship with Meghan Markle. As Meghan, 37, prepares to welcome her first child with Prince Harry any day now, Williams opened up to Business of Fashion about what it took to ensure that her pal’s baby shower back in February was everything she hoped for and more. “Planning something like that takes a lot of effort,” Williams, 37, told the publication of hosting the New York bash. “I’m a perfectionist, so I’m like, ‘Let’s make it perfect.'” “It’s been a lot the last few days,” Williams, who sat down with the Business of Fashion just after the shower. Ian West/PA Images; Samir Hussein/WireImage See Every Photo from Meghan Markle’s Whirlwind Baby Shower Trip to New York City The tennis star helped throw the event for her pregnant pal at The Mark Hotel. Guests at the shower — which was also attended by Amal Clooney, Gayle King, Jessica Mulroney, Misha Nonoo and Abigail Spencer — were treated to a flower-arranging class and plenty of delicious food. During that trip, Williams also stepped out for a fancy dinner at Ralph Lauren’s restaurant The Polo Bar with Meghan and their mutual friends Mulroney and Markus Anderson. Meghan Markle and Serena Williams in New York City in February. Gotham/GC Images; Felipe Ramales / Splash Serena Williams Reveals Why She Told Pal and Mom-to-Be Meghan Markle to ‘Stop Being so Nice’ Williams and Meghan have been friends for some time, first meeting at the Super Bowl in 2010 where they immediately hit it off. Last May, Williams attended Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding. Williams previously told PEOPLE that Meghan hasn’t changed one bit — despite juggling her busy new role as a royal while being pregnant for the first time. “I’m like, ‘How are you?’ and she’s like, ‘No, how are you?’ and I’m like, ‘You’re so sweet, but I’m really asking – how are YOU?’” she said. “I’m like, ‘Meghan, stop being so nice…you’re the pregnant one, aren’t you supposed to have hormones, why are you so sweet?’ But that’s always been her.” The star athlete also shared that while she is giving the Duchess of Sussex plenty of advice from one new mom to a soon-to-be parent, Meghan “still gives me more advice.” Most recently, Williams, who has a 19-month-old daughter Alexis Olympia, made sure that Meghan was ready for motherhood by sending her diapers across the pond — though she didn’t think the Duchess of Sussex would need much help as a new parent. “She’ll be the best mom, for sure,” the athlete told E! News earlier this month. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Serena Williams Reveals She’s Already Sent Diapers ‘Across the Pond’ for Mom-to-Be Meghan Markle While speaking to E! News, Williams may have also accidentally hinted that Meghan and Harry are having a girl when she discussed an unnamed pregnant friend. When asked about advice she had for fellow parents, the tennis star said, “Accept mistakes and don’t expect to be perfect. We put so much pressure on ourselves.” She then added, “My friend is pregnant, and she was like, ‘My kid’s gonna do this,’ [and] I just looked at her like, ‘No, she’s not. No, you’re not. She was like, ‘I need to talk to you about tips,’ because, yes, I had all of those high expectations.” Though it was unclear what friend Williams was referencing, there is a possibility that it may be Meghan, even though the royal previously said that they didn’t know if they were having a boy or girl, adding that they wanted it to be a surprise.