Meghan Markle has once again found herself at the center of royal controversy after making a surprise appearance at Paris Fashion Week and critics are calling it a calculated move to upstage Prince William.
The Duchess of Sussex turned heads at the Balenciaga show, where she arrived solo and dressed in a striking all-black ensemble that immediately drew media attention. However, her glamorous outing didn’t sit well with royal watchers, who believe the timing of her European visit was more than just a coincidence.
Just days earlier, Prince William appeared on the Apple TV+ series The Reluctant Traveler alongside Canadian actor Eugene Levy. The Prince of Wales opened up about royal history, his family’s struggles, and his vision for the next generation a rare and heartfelt appearance that earned him praise across the UK.
But as Meghan stepped out in Paris, royal experts began questioning whether her high-profile return to the European spotlight was an attempt to divert attention away from William’s public moment.
Speaking on TalkTV, royal commentator Rupert Bell didn’t hold back his criticism, suggesting that Meghan’s sudden reemergence in the fashion capital was a deliberate PR strategy. “Someone needs to be sent a stage after the Eugene Levy program and Catherine being photographed,” Bell quipped. “It appears to be her first trip to Europe since she attended the Düsseldorf Invictus Games.”
Bell went on to question her motives, adding, “She’s heading to New York this week to pick up a humanitarian award someone clearly needs the oxygen and publicity, me thinks.”
He continued, “So, me thinks we know what Meghan’s really doing and making sure she stays center stage. She’s positioning herself as the big royal draw not Prince William, who’s off doing a travel documentary.”
The commentator also pointed out what he called a “double standard” in Meghan’s actions, referencing her previous environmental advocacy. “She turns up at Paris Fashion Week looking great, yes, but there’s a full-on PR machine at work here,” he added. “And honestly, it’s quite something to fly all the way from San Francisco or Los Angeles to Paris. Isn’t she supposed to be a great environmentalist too?”
Royal fans quickly joined the debate online, with many accusing Meghan of deliberately timing her appearance to overshadow the Prince and Princess of Wales. “She always finds a way to grab the headlines just when William or Kate are doing something important,” one user wrote on social media. Another added, “Meghan knows exactly what she’s doing and she’s keeping herself in the spotlight at any cost.”
Some supporters, however, defended the Duchess, arguing that she has every right to attend major global events without being accused of ulterior motives. “She’s an independent woman, not a royal robot,” one fan posted. “It’s unfair to say she can’t attend fashion week just because William’s doing an interview.”
Still, critics say the Duchess’s growing presence on the international stage from her upcoming humanitarian award in New York to her rumored lifestyle brand launch shows her focus has shifted toward building her own brand rather than repairing her royal ties.
Observers have also noted that Meghan’s increasing solo appearances may signal a new phase in her public image one that distances her from the royal narrative and instead positions her as a celebrity humanitarian and global influencer.
Meanwhile, Prince William’s appearance on The Reluctant Traveler continues to earn praise for its emotional honesty and his reflections on his family life with Kate Middleton and their children. Royal experts believe that his decision to open up marks a significant step toward modernizing the monarchy’s image.
But with Meghan once again making waves on the same weekend, it seems the long-standing rivalry between the Sussexes and the Waleses isn’t going away anytime soon.
As one royal commentator put it, “Every time Prince William shines, Meghan finds her way back into the spotlight. It’s almost as if she can’t stand to be left out of the royal conversation even from across the Atlantic.”
