Meghan Markle’s unexpected appearance at Paris Fashion Week this October sent ripples through both the fashion world and royal-watchers across the globe. On the evening of October 4, 2025, the Duchess of Sussex, age 44, made her debut at the Balenciaga show, held in the historic chapel at the Laennec headquarters of the brand’s owner, Kering. The event was more than just a star-studded runway—it marked a symbolic return to Europe for Meghan, her first since attending the Düsseldorf Invictus Games in 2023, and a subtle recalibration of her public persona on the continent.
Meghan’s presence was officially explained as a gesture of support for Balenciaga’s new creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, who was unveiling his first collection for the house since assuming the role in July. Yet, as The Daily Beast noted, the symbolism was hard to miss. Her team insisted the trip was simply about backing a friend, but the optics—her solo reentry onto the European stage, the carefully curated images, the high-profile guest list—suggested a statement of intent. “If they really plan to spend more time here, it changes everything. It puts them back in the frame, and that’s not what anyone expected,” one former royal courtier told The Daily Beast after seeing the Paris pictures.
Inside the mirrored halls of Balenciaga, Meghan was every inch the duchess. For her debut, she wore a striking white oversized cape over a silk button-down and matching trousers, paired with black pointed-toe heels and her hair styled in a slicked-back bun. The look was both modern and regal, a nod to the craftsmanship she has long admired in Piccioli’s work. Her spokesperson told People, “Over the years, the Duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo. They have worked closely together, collaborating on design for key moments on the world stage. She has long admired his craftsmanship and modern elegance, and tonight was no different. This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga.”
But Meghan’s Parisian adventure wasn’t without its awkward moments. As captured in a widely shared TikTok video, she and Piccioli nearly bumped heads and almost kissed on the mouth while greeting each other, prompting a flurry of social media reactions. One viewer described the encounter as “so uncomfortable,” while another called it a “disaster.” The incident, though minor, quickly became fodder for online commentary, with royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams telling Daily Mail that Markle’s video was “utterly bewildering,” “beyond stupid,” and “insensitive beyond belief.”
Despite the social media buzz, the show itself was a significant moment for Balenciaga. Piccioli, who relocated from Rome to Paris for the role, sought to honor the brand’s storied past while making his own mark. According to CNN, the collection featured womenswear only, with vibrant pops of violet, cyan, and highlighter yellow, referencing both the house’s archives and Piccioli’s signature color palette from his Valentino days. The opening look—a long, slinky black version of Balenciaga’s iconic “sack” dress—set the tone, followed by bulbous silhouettes, textured dresses with dramatic trains, and a reimagining of classic accessories like the City and Rodeo bags. Piccioli emphasized the use of gazar, a structured yet lightweight fabric first introduced by Balenciaga in 1958, saying, “The paradox is that it creates more structure but less weight.”
The star-studded front row included Anne Hathaway, Kristin Scott Thomas, Krit Amnuaydechkorn (PP Krit), director Baz Luhrmann, and, of course, Meghan Markle. The designer’s approach—described as compassionate, humanist, and kind—was evident both on the runway and in his backstage remarks. “I wanted to embrace what Demna had worked on… and have a sort of reconciliation between culture and streetwear and all of the past,” Piccioli explained, referencing his predecessor’s influential tenure. “I think that to deny what has been done here before is disrespectful and stupid. When you manage a new house, you have to be aware of the people who were here before you. So, I wanted to work with Demna’s archetypes, but with my own sensibility, which is, of course, different.”
Meghan’s Paris Fashion Week experience extended beyond a single night. On October 5, she attended the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show, this time donning a sleek black caped dress, accessorized with black satin heels, diamond stud earrings, gold bracelets, and her hair pulled back in a low bun. She later shared a video compilation of her Paris Fashion Week highlights on Instagram, captioned, “About last night. Thank you @pppiccioli and @balenciaga. I’ve missed you 🇫🇷 - thanks for the love ❤️.”
While this was Meghan’s first Paris Fashion Week, it wasn’t her first foray into the world of high fashion events. During her acting career on Suits, she was a familiar face at New York Fashion Week between 2013 and 2015, attending shows for designers like Hervé Léger, Tory Burch, Peter Som, Wes Gordon, and Misha Nonoo, as documented by Vogue. She has yet to attend London or Milan Fashion Weeks, but her Paris debut was enough to reignite speculation about her evolving role on the international stage.
For Balenciaga, the show was a pivotal moment. The brand’s parent company, Kering, has faced plunging sales and profit warnings, with new CEO Luca de Meo taking the reins in September 2025. The appointment of Piccioli, one of the few great couturiers of his generation, was widely seen as a strategic move to restore the house’s creative and commercial luster. The immediate reaction to his debut collection was positive, with many in the industry seeing it as a promising new chapter for the storied brand.
Beyond the fashion, Meghan’s return to Europe was interpreted by some as a calculated move. The Daily Beast suggested that her solo trip, coupled with Prince Harry’s recent visit to London and meeting with King Charles III, signaled a softening of the couple’s once-firm separation from royal life. Palace insiders were reportedly unsettled by the prospect of the Sussexes re-establishing a presence in Europe, seeing it as a potential shift in the balance of royal influence.
Still, Meghan’s Paris Fashion Week appearances were carefully choreographed to project independence, relevance, and glamour, all while maintaining her connections to both fashion and royalty. Whether this marks the beginning of a new era for the Duchess of Sussex or simply a stylish detour remains to be seen. But for one weekend in Paris, Meghan Markle was not the runaway duchess, but the returning one—poised, confident, and firmly back in the spotlight.
