Meghan Markle experienced an uncomfortable moment with Balenciaga’s new creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, during her first-ever Paris Fashion Week appearance. The awkward interaction was captured in a TikTok video shared by a fan, showing Markle, 44, greeting Piccioli, 58, at the fashion show.
As they attempted to kiss each other on both cheeks, the two nearly bumped heads and almost kissed on the mouth instead. Following the near-miss, the pair posed for pictures and shared a hug, but the exchange quickly went viral. The TikTok user who posted the clip wrote in the caption, “They almost kissed,” which prompted a range of reactions from viewers.
“That was awkward,” one fan commented. Another added, “Cringe and awkward as usual.” Other fans weighed in, with one writing, “She loves herself,” and another stating, “Now that was awkward.” One TikToker also remarked, “She kicked his sunglasses, so uncomfortable,” while someone else described the interaction as a “disaster.”
Despite the awkward moment, Markle looked chic at the event, attending the Balenciaga show in a white oversized cape over a matching button-down shirt, paired with black pointed-toe heels. Her hair was styled in a slicked-back bun, completing the elegant look.
A spokesperson for Markle told People that the Duchess has long admired Pierpaolo Piccioli’s craftsmanship and modern elegance, noting that the two had worked closely together on designs for important moments in Markle’s life. “Over the years, the Duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo.
They have worked closely together, collaborating on design for key moments on the world stage,” the spokesperson said. “She has long admired his craftsmanship and modern elegance, and tonight was no different. This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga.”
While this was Markle’s debut at Paris Fashion Week, she had previously attended Toronto and New York Fashion Week during her time on Suits, attending multiple shows between 2013 and 2015. During her Paris trip, Markle faced backlash for filming a video near the site of Princess Diana’s fatal car crash.
In the video, Markle recorded two bridges near the crash scene from her limo before showing her feet propped up. The footage sparked major social media criticism. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams called the video “utterly bewildering,” “beyond stupid,” and “insensitive beyond belief,” according to the Daily Mail.
@saintleon They almost kissed
♬ original sound – Saint Léon#meghanmarkle #balenciaga #runaway #parisfashionweek #princeharry
