Meghan Markle Hugs Balenciaga’s Creative Director After the Paris Fashion Week Show — Video

The Duchess of Sussex and Balenciaga's newly appointed creative director shared a startlingly intimate moment at the close of one of Paris Fashion Week's most anticipated shows, and the internet had a lot to say.

Making her first-ever appearance at Paris Fashion Week, Meghan Markle attended the October 4, 2025, debut of Pierpaolo Piccioli for Balenciaga. And while the Duchess may have arrived to support a friend, their encounter became a main talking point of the event.

A netizen's comment about the interaction between Meghan Markle and designer Pierpaolo Piccioli at Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025 | Source: TikTok/saintleon

Wearing a crisp Balenciaga all-white outfit — a dramatic cape layered over a silk button-down shirt and matching pants, paired with black pointed high heels — Meghan stood out from the crowd.

Meghan Markle during Paris Fashion Week, attending the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show on October 4, 2025, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images

She was all elegance as she supported her designer friend, Pierpaolo, who was officially named Creative Director back in May and assumed the role in July.

Meghan Markle during Paris Fashion Week, attending the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show on October 4, 2025, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images

He was described on the Instagram announcement as a "master of Haute Couture." The fashion house also praised him as someone who would build on the brand's monumental success while honoring the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga.

After the show, Meghan approached Pierpaolo for a photo-op and a few warm words, but what happened next sparked a buzz among netizens.

Meghan Markle during Paris Fashion Week, attending the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show on October 4, 2025, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images

In a 15-second TikTok clip posted by Saint Leon, Meghan and Pierpaolo are seen placing their hands on each other in a surprisingly warm gesture.

Meghan Markle and designer Pierpaolo Piccioli greeting each other at Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025 | Source: TikTok/saintleon

They greet each other with a kiss on one cheek, then, following Parisian custom, turn for the other, but a slight miscalculation in timing sends their faces startlingly close, teetering on the edge of an accidental kiss on the lips.

Meghan Markle and designer Pierpaolo Piccioli greeting each other at Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025 | Source: TikTok/saintleon

The two quickly laugh it off, sharing a smile before turning to pose for photographers. Once the cameras are done snapping, they hug again, seemingly unbothered. But that wasn't all to it.

A seeming follow-up video posted by Women's Wear Daily showed Meghan leaning in again, but this time, she whispered something into Pierpaolo's ear.

Meghan Markle whispering into designer Pierpaolo Piccioli's ear at Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram/wwd

The two remain close, continuing their conversation while touching each other's wrists, a gesture that didn't sit well with many viewers. Social media exploded, with fans and critics alike dissecting the body language and what it all meant.

Meghan Markle and designer Pierpaolo Piccioli talking and touching at Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram/wwd

"That was awkward," one viewer commented plainly. "Omg sooo awkward," echoed another on Instagram. Others simply posted, "Strange."

Meghan Markle and designer Pierpaolo Piccioli posing for photos at Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram/wwd

But the criticism didn't stop there. Some commenters turned their focus on Pierpaolo, accusing him of crossing a line. "He got way to [sic] close. Have some respect for women. I can't, I get so uncomfortable when people get that close to me," wrote one Instagrammer.

"He was trying g to get too close. The long embrace was very inappropriate [sic]," another added. Over on Facebook, someone bluntly stated, "Doesn't look appropriate to me."

As many debated the encounter, others simply questioned, "Where is Harry?" The Duchess of Sussex seemed alone this weekend.

However, many netizens thought about Prince Harry after noticing something that Meghan Markle posted. As previously reported, a clip she shared on Instagram stirred backlash, with critics accusing her of having "no respect" and being "incredibly insensitive."

A netizen criticizes Meghan Markle for her limo video near Princess Diana's car crash, from a post dated October 5, 2025 | Source: Facebook/NYPost

Meghan's visit has taken a controversial turn after many royal watchers were offended by a short Instagram clip.

The Duchess of Sussex was seen lounging in the back of a limousine, her feet casually propped up on the seat as the car glided through the streets of Paris, near one of the most tragic sites in modern royal history.

Meghan Markle's limo passed through the streets of Paris, from a post dated October 5, 2025 | Source; Instagram/meghan

Filmed from her own point of view, the footage showed Meghan's relaxed feet as the vehicle passed several iconic bridges, including Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Invalides.

Meghan Markle's feet resting on the seat of the limo alongside the other occupants, from a post dated October 5, 2025 | Source: Instagram/meghan

But viewers quickly noticed what came next — the route appeared to continue toward the Pont de l’Alma, the tunnel where Princess Diana lost her life in 1997 alongside Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul.

A fan pays tribute to the late Princess Diana of Wales with a note left near the crash site on the fifth anniversary of her death on August 30, 2002 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images

The proximity of the clip's setting to the site of the late princess's fatal crash has struck a nerve, particularly given Prince Harry's well-documented pain surrounding his mother's death. Many netizens feel Meghan should have known the emotional weight that location carries.

One netizen was convinced of Meghan's intentions, writing, "She knew exactly what she was doing." Another fan didn't hold back their frustration, exclaiming, "That's incredibly insensitive and inappropriate on every level. Shameful 🙄."

Some believed Meghan was being inconsiderate, stating, "She really doesn't care about her husband's feelings or anxiety. Why post this on your social media if you know it triggers him?" Others summed up their disappointment in just two words, "No respect."

Meghan Markle is seen during the Womenswear Spring Summer 2026 as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 5, 2025 France | Source: Getty Images

A more emotional comment read, "How cruel if her to do this 😢 poor harry😢 she had absolutely no respect for him or his family 😢 [sic]." Another person declared, "This is so wrong," while one comment referred to the moment as "Pathetic."

Meghan Markle is seen during the Womenswear Spring Summer 2026 on October 5, 2025 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images

Not everyone agreed with the outrage, though. One fan pushed back, saying, "Omg seriously, this is a super stretch."