Meghan Markle turned heads, and triggered a buzz, when she attended the Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2026 show in Paris on October 4, supporting longtime collaborator Pierpaolo Piccioli in what appears to be her first Paris Fashion Week appearance in years. As with everything the Duchess of Sussex does, the unexpected outing was greeted with intense reactions both for and against her.
The show, titled “The Heartbeat”, marked Piccioli’s first collection as creative director of Balenciaga following his move from Valentino – a high-stakes moment. Celebs including Anne Hathaway, Simone Ashley, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Kristin Scott Thomas joined Markle front row to witness the mix of structural silhouettes, fluid capes, and couture nods reimagined through everyday design.
Markle debuted in a flowing white ensemble: a billowing cape layered over a crisp buttoned shirt and wide-leg trousers, paired with black stilettos. She later switched to a dramatic black cape-draped dress for an evening look – still custom Piccioli. Her stylistic choices leaned into cape trends dominating Fall 2025, further aligning with the show’s thematic edge.
Markle and Piccioli’s relationship stretches back: over the years she’s worn his designs on high-profile moments. The Italian designed her red caped look for Morocco and a white powerhouse outfit for the Invictus Games. In a statement, her team said she has long admired Piccioli’s “craftsmanship and modern elegance” and that attending this show was a natural extension of their collaboration.
Public reaction ranged from admiration to surprise. On X and TikTok, fans applauded her return to runway scenes, calling the white look “timeless Meghan energy” and speculating that her presence signaled a more fashion-forward direction. Some skeptics noted that the choice carried risk given Balenciaga’s past controversies (under past creative director Demna, the brand received backlash over inappropriate ad campaigns and provocative designs). Yet, many said her graceful appearance helped reset the narrative.