Meghan Markle was notably absent from Pierpaolo Piccioli's first haute couture collection for Balenciaga in Paris last week, with sources claiming she was deliberately not invited. The Duchess of Sussex, who had previously described herself as a 'good friend' and 'collaborator' of the designer, was missing from the guest list for the show held in the gardens of the Cité internationale universitaire.
Balenciaga's High-Profile Event
The fashion house's 55th Haute Couture collection was presented on Wednesday, marking Piccioli's first year as Creative Director. Attendees included Hollywood stars Demi Moore, Cynthia Erivo, and Naomi Watts, but the Duchess of Sussex was nowhere to be seen. According to American journalist Paula Froelich, writing on her Substack, a source revealed the reason for the snub: 'Oh God no, she was not invited. Not after what happened last time.'
Controversial 2025 Appearance
Meghan had attended Piccioli's Ready-To-Wear fashion show during Paris Fashion Week in October 2025, but her appearance sparked controversy. Reports claimed she arrived late, invited herself, and sparked fury after uploading a video filmed near the site of Princess Diana's fatal car crash. A spokesperson for the duchess at the time stated: '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.' However, Piccioli later told The Cut: 'Meghan and I met some years ago, and we’ve been texting ever since. She reached out and said she’d love to come to the show.'
Fallout and Snub
The duchess's absence from last week's show has been interpreted as a clear snub, with the insider's blunt verdict suggesting her previous behaviour had damaged the relationship. The incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of Meghan's interactions with the fashion world and her efforts to maintain high-profile connections since stepping back from royal duties.
