Meghan Markle Discusses Her Paris Fashion Week Debut

Meghan Markle recently opened up about her much-anticipated appearance at Balenciaga’s runway show during Paris Fashion Week last month.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the Duchess of Sussex explained that she attended the show to support her friend and designer, Pierpaolo Piccioli. “I was excited for him,” she stated. “I reached out and said, ‘Please come and support us.’ We kept it a secret, but it was really fun.”

Markle, who is 44, shared that she finds joy in her current life, saying it allows her to enjoy moments like sitting in the front row at a fashion show with her children. “It’s like playing in the sandbox with them,” she noted.

During her appearance at the show, Markle turned heads in a white long-sleeve button-up shirt and matching slacks, complemented by a cape, black heels, and diamond stud earrings.

She also expressed her thoughts on personal decision-making, stating, “I think the moment you start making all your personal decisions based on outside judgment, you lose your sense of self.” Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, share two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Her publicist mentioned that Markle and Piccioli have collaborated over the years, working together on significant global events. The rep highlighted her long-standing admiration for his craftsmanship. “Her appearance reflects years of friendship and artistry as he embarks on this new creative chapter at Balenciaga,” the rep said.

Piccioli shared similar sentiments, revealing that he and Markle had been exchanging emails since they met a few years ago. He described her look as “authentic,” “unusual,” and “a beautiful surprise.”

In a moment that went viral, Markle was seen sitting next to her friend Marcus Anderson during the show, displaying a range of emotions that included laughter. Some speculated that her laughter was in response to a model stumbling on the runway, but her representative clarified that was not the case.

Markle has a history of attending fashion events, having been spotted at both Toronto and New York Fashion Weeks during her time on the show Suits, marking her front-row debut at the Hervé Leger spring 2014 show.

After her appearance at Paris Fashion Week—the first since her return to acting—Markle was featured in a winter 2025 cover shoot for Harper’s Bazaar, showcasing stunning haute couture outfits.

In the interview, she reflected on handling public scrutiny, saying, “I give myself grace as I navigate through the mistakes that can happen.” She emphasized the importance of learning from experiences: “Even if everything goes well, you don’t learn from it. If you don’t learn anything, you don’t grow.”