Meghan Markle’s highly anticipated Paris Fashion Week appearance has turned into a public relations disaster, triggering outrage and intense backlash after what many are calling a “fake Diana cosplay” went horribly wrong. The Duchess of Sussex’s attempt to evoke Princess Diana’s legacy and charm ended up alienating fans and critics alike, sparking fierce online debate about her respect for the late princess.
.jpg)
The controversy ignited when Meghan posted a chilling Instagram video from a limousine ride in Paris. The clip showed her reclining casually with her feet up near landmarks such as the Pont Alexandre III and the Pont de l’Alma tunnel—the very site where Princess Diana tragically died in a car crash in 1997. Rather than generating sympathy, this gesture was widely condemned as tone-deaf and disrespectful, with many feeling Meghan trivialized the solemnity of Diana’s final moments.
Royal watchers and social media users were quick to call out Meghan for what they perceived as a calculated but insensitive move. Comments flooded in describing the video as a “fake homage” and a “clumsy attempt” to benefit from Diana’s enduring popularity without honoring her memory properly.
Adding fuel to the fire, Meghan’s choice of an all-white Balenciaga ensemble—reminiscent of Diana’s iconic style—at the Paris runway show was interpreted by some as a misguided effort to recreate the late princess’s image. Coupled with the limousine video, many saw this as an orchestrated “cosplay” rather than a heartfelt tribute.
Fashion insiders also weighed in, noting the irony that Meghan selected Balenciaga, a brand still mired in scandal from its 2022 controversial advertisements, seemingly contradicting Meghan’s public advocacy for child rights and mental health. This contradiction only deepened the narrative of a public relations misfire.
The backlash was not limited to critics. Reports indicate Prince Harry was “appalled” by the video, seeing it as another example of Meghan’s tone-deaf public decisions that stir discord rather than healing.
As the episode unfolds, Meghan faces mounting questions about her future public engagements and how she will navigate the legacy of Princess Diana without further igniting outrage.
Would you like a timeline of Meghan’s Paris Fashion Week controversies, or an expert analysis of public figure image management in crisis?