Meghan Markle, 44, is full of surprises. Every move, gesture, or statement she makes has been under scrutiny ever since she became Prince Harry’s partner and later his wife. By now, she knows exactly how to grab attention and leave everyone stunned with her dramatic moves. This time, the Duchess of Sussex traveled nearly 10,000 kilometers from her home in Montecito, California, to Paris to attend the Balenciaga fashion show, a headline-making appearance no one saw coming.
© Getty Images for BalenciagaIt’s been three years since the Duchess of Sussex last set foot in Europe, back in 2022, which is why her appearance this Saturday in the French capital caused such a stir. Her last public event was the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Even though her relationship with the British royal family remains nonexistent, it’s still striking that she hasn’t returned to the continent in all this time, not even to the UK, where her children Archie and Lilibet’s paternal grandparents, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and their uncle and aunt, Prince William and Kate Middleton, live.
Two unforgettable looks that defined Meghan’s Paris appearance
During Paris Fashion Week, the former actress Meghan naturally stole the spotlight as she opened a new chapter in her connection with the world of high fashion. For the special occasion, she wore two stunning looks, one for the fashion show and another for the after-party.
© Getty Images for BalenciagaThe first look was an elegant cream-colored outfit featuring a shirt paired with wide-leg trousers, topped with a white shawl draped over her shoulders and a small black clutch. Markle's unexpected appearance stunned the media and guests.
© Getty Images for BalenciagaFor the second look, the executive producer of With Love, Meghan on Netflix, wore a sleek black Balenciaga gown with a minimalist style. She paired it with black pointed heels, a simple bracelet, small earrings, and her wedding ring. Dressed for Balenciaga’s after-party, her look was timeless, refined, and perfect for a Paris night out.
© Getty Images for Balenciaga
© Getty Images for BalenciagaAs for the reason behind her attendance, a spokesperson for Markle told HELLO! that she wanted to be "in support of Pierpaolo Piccioli, who recently assumed the role of Creative Director for the House." Her communications advisor noted that over the years, the Duchess has worn several looks by the Italian designer, whom she considers not only a friend but also a great admirer of for his style and elegance.
© WWD via Getty ImagesAt the fashion show, surprise and amazement were the dominant reactions among attendees when they saw the former Suits star surrounded by her security team. Meghan later posed for several photos with Piccioli and greeted well-known figures such as fashion journalist and editor Anna Wintour and Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby). Other stars in attendance included actresses Anne Hathaway, Simone Ashley, and Ariana Greenblatt.
© WWD via Getty ImagesAlso present at the show was her close friend Markus Anderson, the businessman who once played a key role in Meghan and Harry’s romance as he was the one who introduced them. Just an hour before news broke that she had landed in Paris, the Duchess of Sussex had shared a cryptic video on her social media. The clip, filmed from the waist down, showed her walking across a luxurious marble floor and over a carpet in her path. The clue to decoding it came in the form of a song choice, the French track Viens on essaie by Vitaa and Julien Doré.
