Overview

• Pierpaolo Piccioli told The Cut that Meghan Markle reached out by text to request a seat at his Oct. 4 Balenciaga show in Paris.
• Piccioli said he informed no one of her plans, calling the front‑row appearance a rare and “beautiful” surprise with no larger strategy.
• A spokesperson for Meghan said she went to support Piccioli’s debut collection at Balenciaga and has worn his designs and collaborated with him on past looks.
• Her attendance drew renewed criticism over Balenciaga’s 2022 ad controversy involving children, for which the fashion house apologized.
• Online debate over event videos continued, including claims she laughed at a model’s stumble that her representative denied and backlash to an Instagram Story showing a drive on a route compared to Princess Diana’s final journey.