Meghan Markle Faces Criticism for Attending Balenciaga Fashion Show After Ad Scandal

The Duchess of Sussex — who made her Paris Fashion Week debut over the weekend to support one of her friends — was labeled a hypocrite for supporting the brand.

Meghan Markle attended the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show on Saturday evening, October 4 — and she had quite the time. The prestigious event marked her first ever appearance at a fashion show during Paris Fashion Week.

The former actress exuded elegance in a monochromatic ivory ensemble, featuring wide-leg tailored trousers paired with a matching button-up shirt. Draped over her shoulders was a structured, cape-like shawl.

She completed the look with pointed black heels and carried a sleek black clutch, while her hair was styled in a slicked-back bun. Later, the 44-year-old shared a video montage on Instagram, chronicling the highlights of her night.

Fans were quick to call her out, however, for associating herself with Balenciaga following the brand's 2022 controversy. The fashion house faced heavy backlash after publishing an ad that showed two girls holding stuffed animals that appeared to be dressed in bondage gear.

"Miss All About the Children showing up at a Balenciaga show. How gross 🤢," one netizen wrote. "Why on earth would she go to a Balenciaga show? How could any mother support that brand?" another asked.

"The 'duchess' of hypocrisy: a lady who claims to defend the interests of children, going to a fashion show that ran a disgusting campaign with children," a third remarked. "Oh the brand that suxualized children…. That's nice @meghan [sic]," someone else added.

A spokesperson for Markle responded to the criticism, saying Markle had attended the event to support her friend Pierpaolo Piccioli, who was named Balenciaga's Creative Director in July. The pair were seen embracing when they met during the show.