Princess Maha: A shopping excursion

About a month ago, we were walking along W. 59th St. in New York returning from a little exploration of Roosevelt Island.  West 59th takes you along the southern edge of Central Park, and, as a result, is home to some of the priciest real estate in the city.

We were passing the Plaza Hotel near the corner with 5th Ave. when we saw a group of about 10 black SUVs, the kind you see in TV shows where government agents are conducting some big operation or escorting the President.  Around the vehicles were large, be-suited men with sunglasses and ear pieces.  As a scene, let's just say that it caught the eye.  

As we got closer, we saw an empty cube van and literally piles of shopping bags and boxes.  Some were being packed into crates.  All of the bags originated from every boutique and hi-so brand you could name.  The crates were labelled "Princess Maha, Saudi Arabia."  

Princess Maha's goodies before they were packed up

Now our interest was well and truly piqued.  

As soon as we got to wifi, we started looking up this Princess Maha person.  It turns out Princess Maha has had quite a few historic shopping sprees, some totalling in the millions in just a few hours.  She also has a history of sneaking out on bill payments at hotels and shops.  And, oh yeah, an incident when she likely beat one of her service staff.  

As my one and only 'brush with royalty', this was quite an interesting one.  Thanks, New York.