Meghan Markle dealt humiliating blow after 'strategically reckless' Paris move

Meghan Markle's chances of rebuilding her image have fallen flat after her latest stunt in Paris, a PR expert has claimed. The Duchess made a surprise appearance in France over the weekend to attend Balenciaga's Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show in the French capital.

But her visit was tainted by a controversial video she uploaded after the show, showing her at the back of a limo resting her feet on a seat, just as she was passing close by Princess Diana's crash site in Paris. Meghan's video gathered criticism from various royal watchers and fans worldwide.

Now, a PR expert has explained how her latest move has completely "reset" any progress she's been trying to make regarding her "image repair".

Meghan's popularity has been increasingly plummeting following her sensational exit from royal life in 2020, with the latest rankings by YouGov showing that nearly seven out of ten Brits hold a negative view of her. The only other royal below her was Prince Andrew, who remains the least popular royal.

Renae Smith, founder of The Atticism, told the Express: "As we know, Meghan has an incredible ability to turn neutral moments into controversy.

"The video near the tunnel where Diana died was a terrible decision from a PR perspective. It's not just tone-deaf, it's strategically reckless.

"She has to know how symbolic that location is, so doing a posed video there just looks self-serving. If she genuinely wanted to visit privately, that would've been totally fine.

"But to share a stylised video that makes it about her? I'd love to say it's baffling - because I guess the behaviour is - but it's also straight out of the 'All about ME-ghan' textbook of behaviour."

Ms Smith explained how Meghan's latest move is an example of "ego overriding strategy".

She explained: "The moment she presses record, she loses control of the narrative. Her online actions constantly reset any progress she's made in image repair.

"She could have framed this Paris trip as a clean, elegant re-entry into fashion and culture, but instead she chose the one move guaranteed to dominate headlines for the wrong reasons."

Meanwhile, Lee Cohen, a US-based columnist/royal and foreign policy commentator, was also critical of Meghan's move, telling the Express: "This vile stunt exposes her as a desperate zero with the emotional depth of a puddle, clawing for likes while trampling on sacred memories.

"Pathetic doesn't even begin to cover it-keep sinking lower, Meghan."

A spokesman said of Meghan's Paris trip: "This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga."