The Duchess of Sussex has sparked widespread criticism after posting a video on Instagram showing herself travelling through Paris in a limousine with her feet up, filmed close to the tunnel where Princess Diana died in 1997. The footage, shared during a visit to Paris Fashion Week, has been condemned by royal experts and social media users as “insensitive” and “bewilderingly tasteless”.
Meghan Markle, 44, uploaded the clip to her 4.2 million Instagram followers overnight, showing a point-of-view perspective as she reclined with her feet elevated and legs crossed inside the vehicle. The car is seen passing several bridges along the Seine, including the Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Invalides. The next bridge along the river is the Pont d’Alma, which sits adjacent to the Pont d’Alma tunnel where Diana, Princess of Wales, her boyfriend Dodi Fayed, and driver Henri Paul were killed in a fatal car crash in August 1997.
The tragedy has profoundly affected Prince Harry, Meghan’s husband, throughout his life. Critics have questioned the Duchess’s judgment in sharing footage filmed in such proximity to the site of his mother’s death.
Royal Expert Calls Post “Beyond Stupid”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams delivered a scathing assessment of the Instagram post, describing it as “utterly bewildering”, “beyond stupid”, and “insensitive beyond belief”. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he suggested Prince Harry himself may be deeply troubled by his wife’s decision to share the video.
“I don’t understand what on earth she was thinking — well, she can’t have been thinking,” Mr Fitzwilliams said. “No adviser 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.”
He continued: “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. 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.”
Mr Fitzwilliams also speculated about Prince Harry’s private reaction: “While he’s always supportive in public I suspect he’ll be absolutely horrified and she could hear plenty from him about it.”
Social Media Erupts with Criticism
The post triggered an immediate backlash on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, with users expressing shock and disbelief. One user wrote: “Regardless of specific location, filming herself driving through Paris at night is sending exactly the message she intends to send.”
Another posted: “Please tell me that’s not real..? She didn’t actually do that.. did she..?” whilst a third commented: “You cannot make this up.”
Multiple users suggested the footage was “not exactly helpful” for Prince Harry, given the enduring trauma associated with Princess Diana’s death and his ongoing relationship with the British public.
Paris Fashion Week Appearance
The controversy emerged during Meghan’s surprise appearance at Paris Fashion Week, marking her first trip to Europe since attending the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany. The Duchess attended a show for luxury fashion house Balenciaga on Saturday evening, where she mingled with high-profile guests including Vogue’s global editorial director Anna Wintour, actress Anne Hathaway, and film director Baz Luhrmann.
Meghan wore a custom Balenciaga ensemble designed by Pier Paolo Piccioli, the brand’s new creative director and a personal friend of the Duchess. She completed the look with a black suede Balenciaga bag, oval diamond earrings, and £745 black Balenciaga Knife heels.
A spokesman for Meghan told PEOPLE magazine: “She has long admired [Pier Paolo’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.”
Additional Scrutiny Over Fashion Week Conduct
Beyond the Diana controversy, Meghan’s behaviour at the Balenciaga show also attracted commentary on social media. Observers described her as having “her own catwalk moment” when departing the venue and entering a blacked-out minivan.
Video footage of her departure prompted questions about her demeanour, with one social media user asking: “Why is she walking like that?” Another responded: “Thought the same thing. That’s the ‘I’m very important you know’ walk.”
A third critic posted: “She’s trying way too hard. It almost looks like parody.”
Fashion Industry Connections
Meghan previously attended New York and Toronto Fashion Weeks regularly whilst working as an actress on the American legal drama Suits. According to her spokesman, she and designer Pier Paolo Piccioli have collaborated closely over the years, often working together on designs for “key moments”.
The spokesman emphasised that Meghan made the unexpected Paris appearance specifically to support Piccioli as he embarks on his new role as Balenciaga’s creative director.
The Daily Mail has approached a spokesman for the Duchess of Sussex for comment regarding the Instagram video controversy.
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