Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 7, 2025 · Entertainment

Giggles and Gaffes: Meghan's Paris Fashion Week Blunders

The Duchess has been criticised after a widely circulated video online showed her laughing while sat on the front row during the Balenciaga show

Meghan Markle's Fashion Faux Pas: A Series of Embarrassing Blunders

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons during her whirlwind tour of Paris Fashion Week. The former actress and wife of Prince Harry has been caught up in a series of awkward moments that have left royal fans and fashion enthusiasts alike cringing.

The 'Zoolander' Walk

In the clip, Meghan could be seen avidly watching the fashion show from the front row, sat next to her close friend, Marcus Anderson

Meghan's first major blunder came when she was spotted walking out of the Balenciaga show with a rather... unusual gait. Her sashaying stride, which some compared to Ben Stiller's iconic character in the 2001 comedy film Zoolander, left many wondering if she was trying too hard to be taken seriously as a fashion icon.

"I think Meghan Markle is trying to give Zoolander a run for his supermodel walk," one Twitter user quipped. Others ridiculed her for appearing self-obsessed and making the show all about herself.

However, some fans came to her defense, praising her elegance and style. "Love that energy. Channel your inner princess," one fan wrote. But for others, it was just too much.

The Diana Blunder

In another embarrassing moment, Meghan shared a video on her Instagram story showing her feet resting on the leather seats of a limo as she drove away from the event. The problem? She seemed to be taking a parallel route to that of her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who tragically died in a car accident in 1997.

Critics were quick to point out the insensitivity and disrespect shown by Meghan's actions. "Utterly bewildering," one commentator wrote. "Beyond stupid" was another opinion shared online.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Scholarly Note: "I don't understand what on earth she was thinking – well, she can't have been thinking... to share a video which had any connections with the tragic death of the Princess of Wales defies belief."

The Kristin Scott Thomas Snub

But it wasn't just Meghan's fashion sense that raised eyebrows during her Parisian adventure. Her interaction with British actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas was particularly awkward.

In a series of videos shared online, Meghan appeared to try and chat with the esteemed actress, but Kristin seemed completely uninterested. At one point, Meghan even looked back at Kristin as she walked away, leaving fans wondering if there was some kind of tension between the two women.

Kristin Scott Thomas has had close links with the British royal family in the past, which may have hinted at the apparent awkwardness between the two women.

The Balenciaga Controversy

Royal fans soon noted that it only seemed like Meghan had been laughing

Meghan's decision to attend the Balenciaga fashion show has been met with criticism from many fans. The luxury brand was embroiled in a scandal last year when it featured children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage-style leather outfits in one of its campaigns.

"How could any mother support that brand?" one commentator asked. Another wrote: "Miss All About the Children showing up at a Balenciaga show. How gross."

The Pier Paolo Piccioli Kiss

It appears Meghan had her own model moment as she strutted in front of numerous cameras while exiting the star-studded Balenciaga show in Paris this weekend

In another awkward moment, Meghan shared an awkward kiss with Italian fashion designer Pier Paolo Piccioli during her surprise appearance at the Balenciaga show.

However, things didn't quite go as planned – Meghan's nose bumped into Piccioli's sunglasses as they leaned in for a peck on the cheek. Aware that the cameras were rolling, Piccioli laughed it off and grabbed Meghan's hand before pulling her in for a photo.

The Backstory

Meghan walks in her full-white outfit and black heels at Paris Fashion Week

Meghan's team released a statement to coincide with the show, praising Pierpaolo Piccioli's craftsmanship and modern elegance. "Over the years, the duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo," they wrote. "They have worked closely together on design for key moments on the world stage."

However, some fans were quick to point out that Meghan had never attended Paris Fashion Week before – let alone a Balenciaga show. One person quipped: "This marks her first time back to the shows in over a decade? What a load of rubbish! She has never been to Paris fashion week!"

The Verdict

One clip shows the Duchess elegantly clad in Balenciaga's £745 'Knife' heels

Meghan Markle's Paris Fashion Week adventure was marked by a series of embarrassing blunders that left fans cringing. From her 'Zoolander' walk to her awkward interactions with fellow celebrities, it seemed like the Duchess of Sussex was trying too hard to fit in.

As royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams so aptly put it: "I don't understand what on earth she was thinking... to share a video which had any connections with the tragic death of the Princess of Wales defies belief."

One person joked that Meghan was trying to 'give Zoolander a run for his supermodel walk'

A short clip showed her putting her feet up while being driven through the French capital, near to where Princess Diana died

Critics have noted that after she passed Paris's Pont Alexandre III bridge (pictured), she was heading towards nearby Pont d'Alma - close to where Princess Diana died in 1997

Meghan appeared to brush off criticism as she posted another video of her feet up in the car

Meghan's last appearance at a Fashion Week was in Toronto in 2015 (pictured)

Meghan at Toronto Fashion Week in 2015, one year before she met Prince Harry