The Duchess of Sussex is facing criticism after sharing a video of herself in a limousine with her feet up near the Paris tunnel where Princess Diana tragically passed away. Critics have labeled her actions as ‘insensitive’ and ‘bewilderingly tasteless’.
Meghan has come under fire for posting the clip on her Instagram during her visit to Paris for Fashion Week, with many accusing her of being ‘thoughtless’.
The video, seemingly taken from her perspective, captures her putting her feet up as the car travels past bridges such as Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Invalides.
Next along the Seine is the Pont d’Alma, near the tunnel where Diana, her boyfriend Dodi Fayed, and driver Henri Paul died in August 1997, a heartbreaking incident for Harry, Diana’s son and Meghan’s husband.
This controversy arises as Meghan, 44, unexpectedly attended Paris Fashion Week, marking her first European appearance since the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany.
She was spotted at a Balenciaga fashion show, socializing with notable figures like Vogue’s global editorial director Anna Wintour, actress Anne Hathaway, and filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, with whom she shared a greeting kiss.
The clip showing her journey along the Seine, with her feet lifted up and legs crossed while sitting in the car, was shared to her 4.2million followers on Instagram overnight.
Critics on social media have expressed their horror at the Diana associations.
Meghan Markle has been criticised over a video shared on her Instagram page after she left a Paris Fashion Show Week (pictured) on the evening of Saturday, October 4 2025
The short clip showed her putting her feet up while being driven through the French capital
Critics have noted that after passing Paris’s Pont Alexandre III bridge (pictured), the journey was taking her towards nearby Pont d’Alma – close to where Princess Diana died in 1997
Prince Harry’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales (pictured in New York in 1996) was killed in a car crash in Paris, at the age of 36, in August 1997
And royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams called the post ‘utterly bewildering’, ‘beyond stupid’, ‘insensitive beyond belief’.
He also suggested Prince Harry could take a dim view of his wife’s post.
Mr Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail: ‘I don’t understand what on earth she was thinking – well, she can’t have been thinking. No advisor would ever advise doing something so strange.
‘She has every right to go to fashion events but to share a video which had any connections with the tragic death of the Princess of Wales defies belief.
‘I’m sure she didn’t mean to cause offence, she can’t have been thinking, but it’s insensitive beyond belief. It’s a complete absence of thought.
‘She couldn’t possibly have intended to be disrespectful but it’s another example of the Sussexes doing something that makes no sense at all.
‘Diana’s death is a tragedy that has scarred so much of Harry’s life and I can’t imagine he would find this very appropriate.
‘While he’s always supportive in public I suspect he’ll be absolutely horrified and she could hear plenty from him about it.’
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is seen here leaving a Balenciaga event at Paris Fashion Week in the French capital on October 4 2025
She was making a surprise appearance at the Womenswear Spring Summer 2026 during her first visit to Europe since attending the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany
Harry and Meghan are seen here at the Invictus Games closing ceremony in September 2023
Criticisms from people posting on X, formerly Twitter, have included: ‘Regardless of specific location, filming herself driving through Paris at night is sending exactly the message she intends to send.’
It was also suggested the clip could be ‘not exactly helpful’ for Harry, while another poster commented: ‘You cannot make this up.’
Another X user remarked: ‘Please tell me that’s not real..? She didn’t actually do that.. did she..?’
The Daily Mail has approached a spokesperson for the Duchess for comment.
There had already been plenty of commentary on Meghan’s appearance at the star-studded Balenciaga show, as she was described having ‘her own catwalk moment’ when departing and getting into a blacked out minivan.
One person commented on video footage, ‘Why is she walking like that?’, with another replying: ‘Thought the same thing. That’s the “I’m very important you know” walk.’
A further critic posted: ‘She’s trying way too hard. It almost looks like parody.’
The ensemble worn by the Duchess was a custom piece from Balenciaga, made by designer Pierpaolo Piccioli, who is also Meghan’s friend.
Meghan Markle cut a stylish figure at Saturday night’s event as she was pictured in Paris for Fashion Week while being flanked by bodyguards – ahead of sharing her Instagram video
A spokesperson for the former working royal has said she made the unexpected appearance at the show on Saturday evening in support of Pierpaolo, who has recently become the creative director for the brand.
The mother-of-two paired the look with a black suede Balenciaga bag, glitzy oval diamond earrings and £745 black Balenciaga Knife heels.
She was previously a regular at New York and Toronto Fashion Weeks whilst working as an actress on US drama series Suits.
A spokesperson for Meghan told PEOPLE: ‘She has long admired [Pierpaolo’s] 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.’
According to the publication, the pair have worked together closely over the years and would often ‘collaborate’ on designs for ‘key moments’.
