The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly planning to attend Paris Fashion Week on her own, as she looks to make her first public appearance since the family's move back to Britain at the end of August.
Meghan Markle has been considering a weekend trip to the French capital, although no firm plans have been confirmed, according to an insider cited by the Daily Express. The source said she is eager to use the event as her public re-entry following the relocation, adding: "She's keen to go alone and hold her head high. Meghan deliberately hasn't attended an event in the UK yet; she's been holding out for the perfect time, and Paris offers that."
Harry stays home with children
Prince Harry is expected to remain at home with the couple's two children as they continue to keep their professional engagements separate. The Duke has undertaken a number of solo duties since returning to the UK.
Meghan, who has not made a public appearance since the move despite sharing glimpses on her Instagram and being spotted at the pub, believes Paris Fashion Week aligns with the image she has been cultivating since departing the Royal Family, the Express reports.
Concerns over past criticism
The source noted she is feeling somewhat apprehensive after the intense criticism she faced last year, when it was revealed she had not actually been invited to attend. "She has been invited through official channels," they said, refusing to comment on reports she engineered her attendance last year, but added: "She's been weighing up whether to go because of the timing."
Meghan made her debut at Paris Fashion Week last year, wearing a white suit and dramatic cape at Balenciaga. Her solo journey was initially seen as validating her role as a lifestyle influencer, but this perception became tarnished when it surfaced she had contacted the fashion house's creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, and requested to attend. It is traditional for celebrity guests to receive formal invitations.
Past backlash and response
The Duchess also faced backlash when footage appeared showing her seemingly chuckling as a model stumbled on the runway. She additionally posted a clip on Instagram of herself unwinding in a limousine while the vehicle travelled close to where Princess Diana perished.
Her representative subsequently rejected claims that Meghan chuckled at the model and denied filming near the Pont d'Alma tunnel. A spokesperson for the Duchess has declined to respond to claims that she is planning to attend Paris Fashion Week.
