She’s back, folks! Now that she’s the Duchess of Sussex, we’re used to seeing Meghan Markle wearing prim and proper calf-length dresses with matching fascinators. But when Prince Harry‘s gorgeous wife touched down in New York City for a solo trip this week for her two-day baby shower, we slowly began to see the 37-year-old Hollywood actress we used to know and love reemerge through Meg’s high-fashion Big Apple style choices.

Don’t get us wrong, we love royal Meg, but there was certainly something special about seeing the seven-months-pregnant duchess out and about in a pair of skinny jeans, a stunning swing coat and pair of dark sunglasses this week that made us miss her old style. Seriously, it’s like we’ve gone back in time to 2016! If it weren’t for the royal protection officers and tons of photographers following her around NYC, Meghan almost blends right in with other glamorous, fashion-forward ladies out and about in the City That Never Sleeps.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex seen leaving The Mark Hotel in NYC
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For the first afternoon of her special two-day shower held at The Mark Hotel on Tuesday, February 19, Meg donned a black coat with cropped sleeves, black Hatch Maternity skinny jeans, nude suede pumps and carried an oversized Carolina Herrera Matryoshka Locked L Shoulder Bag — a purse that would have been way too big for her to carry on an official royal outing.

Then, on Tuesday night, Meghan was spotted stepping out for a fun night on the town with friends Jessica Mulroney, Markus Anderson and professional tennis player Serena Williams. While dining at the Polo Bar, Meg bundled up in a coat by Victoria Beckham that retails for about $2,950 and paired the look with $248 “Nearly Skinny Maternity” jeans by Hatch Maternity, a pair of $695 Tamara Mellon black, knee-length, heeled boots and a Stella McCartney tote. Though the duchess wasn’t photographed on Wednesday, February 20, Amal Clooney and other guests were seen arriving for Day 2 of Meghan’s shower.

meghan-markle
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During her short and unexpected visit to the States this week, Meg has made her way around town exploring museums, eating in five-star restaurants and basking in the energy of the Big Apple. In addition to attending her highly publicized baby shower hosted by her dearest friends, the former Suits actress has also been spending well-deserved private time with the people she’s closest to.

“The trip is a lovely chance to catch up with friends and spend time in a city she loves,” a source close to the royal told Harper’s Bazaar. “This will be the last time a lot of them will see Meg until after the baby is born so it’s nice to share precious moments.”

Meg’s secret trip to her native United States was also shocking because ABC News’ royals expert Victoria Arbiter said that it was previously assumed that the mom-to-be wouldn’t be having a baby shower at all. “[Harry and Meghan] have added pressure that they’re clearly very wealthy and a lavish baby shower would be seen as highly inappropriate,” Victoria told People in late January.

According to a source, however, the trip was planned months ago and the timing of her baby shower worked out perfectly with her royal schedule. “Meg will be flying home refreshed and relaxed — and with a lot of new baby clothes,” the insider said. We can’t wait to meet her royal baby in just a few months!