Meghan Markle has reportedly been dealt a fresh blow in the fashion world after missing an invitation to the latest Balenciaga couture show, with insiders claiming the Duchess of Sussex’s appearance at last year’s event left a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons.
The 44-year-old was noticeably absent when Balenciaga creative director and close friend Pierpaolo Piccioli unveiled the fashion house’s Fall 2026 Couture Collection in Paris on Wednesday.
Her absence came despite reports the Duchess had been in France before travelling to the UK with Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet, for a private reunion with King Charles III at Highgrove House on Thursday.
According to royal reporter Paula Froelich, Meghan was deliberately left off the guest list because of the controversy surrounding her appearance at Piccioli’s debut Balenciaga show last year.
“Oh God no, she was not invited,” a source told Froelich.
“Not after what happened last time. There’s no way Pier Paolo would have her back after last year. He wants it to be about the clothes, not her.”
During Piccioli’s first-ever Balenciaga show in October, Meghan reportedly arrived late just before the lights went down, with reports claiming the “disrespectful” move irritated former American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
She was also criticised after footage appeared to show her laughing when a model stumbled on the runway.
Following the show, Meghan shared an Instagram photo of herself and friends relaxing in a car with their feet up while driving past the Paris tunnel where her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, died.
The Duchess’ appearance at the Spring/Summer 2026 show divided opinion, with critics arguing she overshadowed Piccioli’s debut collection, while supporters praised her attendance and choice to wear the designer’s creations.
After the event, representatives for the Sussexes described Meghan as one of Piccioli’s “collaborator[s]”.
However, the 58-year-old designer later told The Cut that Meghan had contacted him directly about attending.
“She reached out and said she’d love to come to the show. There was no strategy or big orchestration,” he told the outlet.
Froelich also claimed Piccioli’s team covered Meghan’s reported expenses for the including flights, accommodation, transport and wardrobe, valued at about USD$250,000 (approximately AUD$360,000)- believing her attendance would generate positive publicity for the brand.
According to Froelich, insiders later regretted that decision.
“A collaborator? Who does she think she is? Beyonce?!” the source said.
“Here is Pier Paolo’s first show for Balenciaga and she basically claims some sort of credit for it? It’s unbelievable.”
The reported Balenciaga snub came as Meghan was also absent from a Chanel event held at Highgrove House on the same day she and Prince Harry privately visited King Charles.
Speaking on her YouTube channel, Froelich suggested the Chanel gathering may have served “as a ruse” that allowed the Sussexes to arrive among a convoy of luxury vehicles entering the Gloucestershire estate without attracting attention.
Chanel was at Highgrove to celebrate graduates of its Métiers d’Art embroidery and millinery fellowships, run in partnership with The King’s Foundation, in the King’s gardens.
Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet are believed to have met King Charles and Queen Camilla between 3.30pm and 4pm, spending more than an hour with the royal couple.
The reunion was particularly significant as it marked the first time Meghan, Archie and Lilibet had seen the 77-year-old King in person since 2022, while he continues undergoing cancer treatment.
Froelich and fellow royal reporter Shauna Kay argued Meghan’s absence from both the Balenciaga show and the Chanel event reflected her standing within the luxury fashion industry.
“It’s extraordinary- you’ve got all these high-end fashion houses that would kill for any royal to wear anything that they produce- and Meghan is scurring through the gate trying to be anonymous while this huge Chanel event is on at Highgrove House,” Kay said.
“Chanel doesn’t even want to know her.”