Meghan Markle is revealing the story behind her much-talked-about Paris Fashion Week debut at Balenciaga’s runway show last month.
The Duchess of Sussex said in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar published Wednesday that she went to the show to support her friend, designer Pierpaolo Piccioli.
“I was excited for him,” she said. “I reached out and said, ‘Please come and support us.’ We kept it a secret, but it was really fun.”
Markle, 44, explained that she “loves” a life where she can sit “front row at shows” and “play in the sandbox with my kids.”
She added, “I think the moment you start making all your personal decisions based on outside judgment, you lose your sense of self.”
Markle shares two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, with her husband Prince Harry.
The Suits alum turned heads when she was spotted arriving at the Balenciaga show wearing a white long-sleeve button-up and matching slacks.
Markle accessorized with a matching cape, black pointy heels, and diamond stud earrings.
Balenciaga Getty Images
At the time, her publicist revealed that she and Piccioli have “worked closely” over the years and “collaborated on the design of important moments on the world stage.”
The rep added that the actress “has long admired his craftsmanship and modern elegance,” and said her appearance “is the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga.”
Piccioli also spoke passionately about his friendship with Markle, telling The Cut that the two had been “exchanging emails” since meeting “a few years ago.”
The Italian designer described Markle’s look as “authentic,” “unusual,” and a “beautiful” surprise.
The host of “With Love, Duchess Meghan” attended the runway show and there was a scene where she burst into laughter while sitting next to her friend Marcus Anderson with no expression on her face, which became a hot topic.
There was speculation that she was reacting to a model tripping on the catwalk, but Markle’s rep told the Daily Mail that she was not laughing at the model.
The actress, who married Prince Harry in 2018, attended Toronto Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week during her time on Suits, and made her front row debut at the Hervé Leger spring 2014 show.
October’s Paris Fashion Week appearance was the first for Markle, who recently made a surprising return to acting.
Markle’s winter 2025 cover shoot for the magazine featured her wearing a number of stunning couture ensembles, including a chic peplum blazer look, a flowing orange gown, and a smart trench coat layered over a business skirt.
In the interview, the As Ever founder also confessed that she gives herself “grace” as she overcomes the mistakes that can occur under intense public scrutiny.
“You learn not to do it again,” she told the media. “Even if everything goes well, you don’t learn from it. If you don’t learn anything, you don’t grow.”
