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Meghan Markle was spotted bursting out into a fit of laughter while surrounded by a stoic crowd at a Paris Fashion Week show.
The Duchess of Sussex was seated at the front row during Balenciaga’s spring-summer 2026 showcase at the brand’s headquarters in Paris when she experienced a fashion slip-up on Saturday.
A video making rounds on social media shows the founder of As Ever watching the stylish show intently before her expression changes to one of surprise. She bursts into laughter and glances at her friend, Markus Anderson, who keeps a straight face.
Noticing her friend’s unwavering demeanor, she quickly covers her mouth to hide her laughter from others around her. Markle then refocuses on the fashion show, regaining her composure.
While it’s unclear what exactly had caused Markle’s cheerful chuckle, some people believe she was reacting to a model who tripped on the runway. However, Page Six understands that this claim is untrue.
Following the show, Charlotte Griffiths, Editor-at-large of the Mail on Sunday, alleged to GB News that Markle “burst out laughing” after a model stumbled.
“At one point, [Markle] sat on the front row, and a model tripped. She burst out laughing. And then she obviously realised that was quite a cruel thing to do, so she sort of covered it up,” Griffiths said, adding, “She did seem a little bit out of place in Paris, if I’m going to be honest. She seemed a bit nervous.”
However, the outlet could not confirm that a model fell during the show, and Markle’s rep denied that she had laughed at a model. Additionally, no video evidence has surfaced to back up the claim.
Nevertheless, fans flooded social media with speculations about the “With Love, Meghan” host’s reaction.
“Leave it to Meghan Markle to be the only one to laugh when a model walking the Balenciaga show has a trip up,” one person wrote on X, along with a video of the awkward moment.
“Meghan Markle has been caught laughing as a model [who] stumbled on the runway,” a second person claimed.
“A model tripping at a high-profile fashion show is mortifying, yet as a narcissist, she lacks empathy and laughs at her,” a critic weighed in.
Markle’s attendance at Balenciaga’s show marked her debut at Paris Fashion Week. (She had previously attended Toronto Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week before marrying Prince Harry in 2018.)
The former “Suits” actress, 44, showed up in support of her close pal, Pierpaolo Piccioli, who became Creative Director for the fashion house in July.
“Over the years, the Duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo,” her spokesperson told People Saturday. “They have worked closely together, collaborating on design for key moments on the world stage.”
They added that Markle 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.”
The mom of two looked effortlessly chic in an all-white ensemble by the brand, consisting of a long-sleeved tunic with a flowing cape and matching pants.