The Duchess of Sussex and Balenciaga’s new creative director shared a surprisingly intimate moment at the close of one of Paris Fashion Week’s most talked-about shows — and the internet had plenty to say about it.
Making her first-ever appearance at Paris Fashion Week, Meghan Markle attended the October 4, 2025 debut of Pierpaolo Piccioli for Balenciaga. Though she was there to support a friend, their warm exchange quickly became the main headline of the night.
A Dazzling Debut
Meghan turned heads in an all-white Balenciaga ensemble — a sleek silk shirt and matching pants beneath a dramatic cape, paired with black pointed heels. It was a crisp, minimal look that embodied her signature polish and poise.
Piccioli, who took over as Balenciaga’s Creative Director in July after being appointed in May, had been described by the brand as a “master of Haute Couture,” someone poised to honor Cristóbal Balenciaga’s legacy while pushing the label forward.
After the show, Meghan approached Piccioli for a congratulatory photo. What began as a simple greeting soon drew viral attention.
A Kiss That Nearly Was
In a 15-second TikTok clip shared by user Saint Leon, Meghan and Piccioli greet each other with a kiss on one cheek, then turn for the customary second. But a split-second misstep brings their faces unexpectedly close — so close it appears they almost kiss on the lips.
Both quickly laugh it off, smiling as cameras flash. They hug again before posing for photos, their ease suggesting no discomfort. But online, the brief exchange became a spark for speculation.
A follow-up video posted by Women’s Wear Daily fueled the conversation further. It showed Meghan leaning in to whisper something into Piccioli’s ear while the two touched each other’s wrists in a friendly gesture. Many viewers found the moment too intimate for comfort.
@saintleon They almost kissed 😭 #meghanmarkle #balenciaga #runaway #parisfashionweek #princeharry
“That was awkward,” one Instagram user commented. Another wrote simply, “Omg sooo awkward.” Some went further, accusing Piccioli of overstepping: “He got way too close. Have some respect for women,” one user complained, while another added, “That long embrace was very inappropriate.”
Others dismissed the uproar entirely, calling it an overreaction to a European-style greeting. Yet the question many were left asking was simple — where was Harry?
Controversy Follows in Paris
While Meghan appeared alone in Paris, her social media activity the following day stirred a fresh wave of criticism. On October 5, the Duchess posted an Instagram clip showing her relaxing in the back of a limousine, her feet casually propped up as the car drove through the city.
The video, shot from her point of view, captured sweeping views of Paris’s landmarks — Pont Alexandre III, Pont des Invalides — before seemingly continuing toward Pont de l’Alma, the tunnel where Princess Diana tragically died in 1997.
The choice of route struck a nerve with royal watchers. Given Prince Harry’s open grief over his mother’s death, many online found the timing and location of the clip deeply insensitive.
“She knew exactly what she was doing,” one commenter wrote. Another called it “incredibly inappropriate on every level.” Others accused Meghan of being thoughtless toward her husband’s emotions: “Why post this if you know it triggers him?” one fan asked.
Some defended her, arguing the backlash was exaggerated. “Omg seriously, this is a super stretch,” one supporter replied under a critical post.
Still, for many, the imagery was too loaded to ignore. The combination of her headline-making moment at Balenciaga and the contentious video near such a symbolic site ensured Meghan’s Paris weekend became one of her most discussed appearances in recent memory.
