When the Duchess of Sussex made a solo appearance at Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week show last year, the event’s head designer described it as a ‘beautiful surprise,’ sparked by her text requesting an invitation.

Last night, she turned heads once more in an ensemble worthy of the runway—a stunning $8,500 custom dress complemented by a luxurious oversized velvet train, crafted by one of America’s leading black designers.

Today, however, her fans have dismissed rumors suggesting Meghan invited herself to the Hollywood gala, citing her absence from the VIP list on the event flyer.

The former Suits actress appeared delighted as she graced the red carpet at the 2026 Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala in Los Angeles, an event honoring Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles.

As event staff carefully arranged her dramatic train, the Duchess radiated joy for the cameras. Amid the lively beats from Paramount Studios, she was overheard enthusiastically declaring, “Great music, guys, let’s party!”

The gala was co-hosted by Meghan’s acquaintances, the British-born entrepreneur Emma Grede and Aurora James, the designer known for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s bold ‘Tax the Rich’ Met Gala dress.

A glossy flyer advertising the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala at Paramount Studios listed Ms Knowles, Ms Grede, Ms James and 11 other big names backing the event – with no sign of Meghan.

Today her supporters have dismissed claims that Meghan invited herself after the flyer emerged online without her name on.

One member of the so-called Sussex Squad of fans said: ‘As if Miss Tina wouldn’t invite Meghan! Meghan and Doria hang with Tina, and her famous daughter [Beyonce], [they] all are very tight buddies!’ 

Another posted on social media: ‘Obviously [she was] invited. But now away from Palace. No leaks’. 

Meghan Markle went without Harry, donning a pink strapless dress with an enormous velvet black train at the annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala last night

A member of staff helps Meghan with her train as she arrives to pose for photographers at last night’s Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala in Hollwyood

The Duchess then posed with her friend Emma Grede, an entrepreneur and co-host of the bash at Paramount Studios

Supporters of the Sussexes have dismissed claims as ‘rubbish’ that Meghan had invited herself because she was not on the flyer

One critic of Meghan who shared the invite said: ‘Meghan Markle, Emma Grede’s plus one. How embarrassing. I guess the charity do not consider her As Ever as black owned business, hence why she wasn’t personally invited by the charity’.

Some critics used the document to try to claim Meghan had invited herself to another major event, but her supporters are having none of it. 

In response one of the Duchess’ supporters replied: ‘The only embarrassment is you’.

Another fan said: ‘Meghan would be an obvious invite for this event! She doesn’t have to make some kind of PR announcement ahead of time’.

It came as the Sussex Squad fought an online campaign to rubbish claims that the Sundance Film Festival world premiere of Harry and Meghan’s documentary about Girl Scouts selling biscuits was not a sell-out.

Last night Meghan wowed in a custom gown by Charles Harbison with Maison Mèrenor jewellery.

Mr Harbison said: ‘Meghan wore a custom Quanta gown in champagne duchess satin with a black velvet trim at the neckline. No extra seaming: just clean and perfectly sewn.

‘I thought it would be lovely with a soft silk velvet robe, and the proportions were an ode to Zelda Wynn Valdez, as she requested’.

Ms Valdes was a pioneer black fashion designer in the US, credited by some with creating the famous Playboy bunny waitress costumes.

The Duchess of Sussex posed on the red carpet in Los Angeles co-ordinating the billowing sleeves of the train with her earrings, shoes and sweetheart neckline. 

She appeared relaxed at the gala honouring Beyonce’s mother Ms Tina Knowles for her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to empowering Black communities and creators.

The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a foundation focused on building sustainable, thriving networks where Black-owned businesses can flourish.

Founded by Canadian creative director Aurora James the charity works with businesses to support and advance equity.

The charity’s name is a nod to the ‘Black people who make up 15% of the US population’. 

Dripping in jewellery she appeared relaxed at the gala honouring Beyonce’s mother

The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a foundation focused on building sustainable, thriving networks where Black-owned businesses can flourish

Meghan was shown smiling and hugging guests at the black tie event including the designer of her outfit, Charles Harbison

The gala hosted by CNN news anchor Abby Phillip is part of the 15th Street Block Party Weekend at Paramount Studios.

People took to X to praise Meghan’s dress with fans describing it as ‘perfection’. 

One user wrote: ‘Perfection. Meghan has done it again.’

Another said: ‘Perfect timeless gown.’  

Others highlighted the importance of high-profile women supporting Black-owned businesses and designers. 

One user wrote: ‘I’m so happy to see her there, this is a cause that brings Black women together. The organisation does such great work.’ 

Other celebs in attendance included supermodel Winnie Harlow, Chloe Bailey and Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach. 

The event was hosted to mark Black History Month – a month dedicated to honouring the achievements and contribution of the community in America. 

Meghan posed on the red carpet with Emma Grede, a British businesswoman and entrepreneur

The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a foundation focused on building sustainable, thriving networks where Black-owned businesses can flourish

Other celebs in attendance included supermodel Winnie Harlow, (pictured) Chloe Bailey and Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach

Ms Tina Knowles (pictured) was honoured for her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to empowering Black communities and creators

Meghan posed on the red carpet with British businesswoman and entrepreneur Emma Grede. 

Grede, who grew up in east London, runs a multi-billion dollar business empire for the world’s most famous reality TV stars. 

Fans delighted in seeing the pair pose together with many praising their striking ‘face cards’. 

In June, Grede hailed the Duchess of Sussex for ‘building something with purpose, precision and with a lot of heart’ after they sat down for a 90-minute podcast. 

Their chat saw Meghan say she would ‘ask people to tell the truth’ if she was able to rewrite her public narrative from scratch and refer to a ‘lie’ told eight years ago.

The Duchess also used the podcast to deny that her personal Instagram account, where she shares behind the scenes footage of family life, is a tool to promote her business – adding that she uses it for ‘authentic’ sharing such as her twerking video.

Charles Harbison posted an Instagram story of him and Meghan inside the gala hugging, chatting and holding hands.

In the video that shows the back of the designer, drawing attention to the dress, Meghan seems jubilant.

In June, Grede hailed the Duchess of Sussex for ‘building something with purpose, precision and with a lot of heart’ after they sat down for a 90-minute podcast

People took to X to praise Meghan’s dress with fans describing it as ‘perfection’

The clip is captioned: ‘Me and the duchess in @harbison.studio.’ 

The event follows the charity’s fourth annual gala last weekend, attended by the likes of Kelly Rowland and Kim Kardashian. 

Rowland wowed the crowd in a daring hooded yellow gown with a sexy chest cutout that flashed her cleavage. 

Kim Kardashian commanded attention in a gorgeous black reptile-textured gown that hugged her famous curves.

The sleek halter-neck design featured sheer mesh paneling, adding an edgy touch to the 43-year-old SKIMS founder’s look.

Despite attending the evening solo, Meghan recently shared a clip to Instagram – surprising Prince Harry with one of her As Ever chocolate bars before Valentine’s Day.

The Duke of Sussex had a grin ear-to-ear as his wife sauntered over with a box of the treats, which she first released last year.

Her custom gown was designed by Charles Harbison of Harbison Studio, a New York based luxury womenswear brand

In the clip, Meghan approaches Harry and hands over the chocolate – to which the Prince says ‘Oh’ before turning his response into an ‘Oooh’ and picking out a bar.

A beaming Harry looks at the camera – holding up the bar – and says ‘yes please’ and proceeds to hand back the box.

He then says ‘love you’, with a cheeky smile still on his face.

The bars of chocolate – which sold out within minutes following their initial release – use Meghan’s ‘signature ingredients’ from her As Ever brand such as raspberry spread and flower sprinkles, to ‘spark a little sweet nostalgia’.