Meghan Markle faced heavy criticism for attending a Balenciaga fashion show amid the brand’s recent child exploitation ad scandal.

PARIS — Meghan Markle is facing a fresh wave of backlash after making a high-profile appearance at a Balenciaga fashion show during Paris

Fashion Week this past weekend, sparking outrage from fans and critics who accuse the Duchess of Sussex of hypocrisy for supporting a brand recently engulfed in a disturbing child exploitation controversy.

Clad in an all-white ensemble — a flowing button-down tunic with cape and matching slacks — Markle made her Paris Fashion Week debut at the controversial luxury fashion house’s runway event on Saturday,

drawing both admiration for her style and fierce condemnation for her choice to show up amid ongoing scandal.

A spokesperson for Markle confirmed her attendance was motivated by loyalty and support for longtime friend Pierpaolo Piccioli, who took over as Balenciaga’s creative director in July.

But that explanation did little to soothe critics already deeply angered by the brand’s past controversies.

Balenciaga made headlines in late 2022 after a shocking ad campaign surfaced, featuring children posing with teddy bears dressed in bondage-inspired leather outfits, triggering accusations of sexualizing minors.

The campaign prompted widespread condemnation, a public apology from the fashion house, and even a brief $25 million lawsuit against the campaign’s producers — a suit that was dropped the following month.

“The ‘duchess’ of hypocrisy: a lady who claims to defend the interests of children, going to a fashion show that ran a disgusting campaign with children,” one outraged Instagram user wrote, capturing the sentiment echoed by many online.

Another commenter questioned how Markle, a mother herself and vocal advocate for children’s rights, could possibly justify attending an event hosted by a brand accused of exploiting children.

“Why on earth would she go to a Balenciaga show? How could any mother support that brand?” they asked.

A flood of similar comments poured in on social media, many calling the Netflix star and former “Suits” actress out for what they perceive as a glaring contradiction between her public stance and her private actions.

“Irony — a cancelled woman turns up for a cancelled brand. What is a mother thinking attending a fashion show of a house which used child models posing with fetish-themed teddy bears?” read another scathing post.

Some accused Markle of prioritizing her own spotlight over morality. “Balenciaga with their child p*rn and abuse and pedophilia, shows what Meghan really cares about… herself and whoever will give her a spotlight,” one Instagram user wrote bluntly.

Others were even more graphic in their outrage. “Miss All About the Children showing up at a Balenciaga show. How gross,” one commenter seethed.

The backlash is particularly striking given Markle’s long-standing efforts to champion children’s rights and well-being, efforts often highlighted in her public speeches and charitable work.

Despite the outcry, Balenciaga remains a favorite among many celebrities and fashion insiders, with figures like Kim Kardashian continuing to wear the brand even after the scandal broke.

Markle’s attendance seems to reflect a growing divide in the fashion and celebrity world — a tension between maintaining loyalty to industry friends and brands versus taking a stand on ethical grounds.

Balenciaga has worked to move past the controversy, issuing apologies and distancing itself from the campaign’s producers. Yet the dark cloud still looms large, and public skepticism remains intense.

Inside sources say Markle’s team was aware the appearance would stir debate but believed her presence would help signal a new era for the brand under Piccioli’s leadership — an era supposedly focused on creativity without controversy.

Still, critics remain unconvinced.

“Supporting a creative director who just took over doesn’t erase what happened,” said one fashion industry observer. “This isn’t just a fashion choice — it’s a statement, and in this case, it speaks volumes.”

For Markle, who has often been under intense media scrutiny, the Balenciaga show could become yet another flashpoint in her complex relationship with the public and the brands she chooses to endorse.

The Duchess has yet to publicly address the controversy, and her representatives did not respond to requests for further comment.

Meanwhile, the storm over Balenciaga’s scandal and Markle’s role in it shows no signs of abating — a reminder of how swiftly celebrity actions can ignite fierce debates in today’s social media age.

As Paris Fashion Week continues, all eyes will be on Markle and Balenciaga to see if they can weather the backlash or if the duchess’s attendance will become a defining moment in the ongoing conversation about celebrity responsibility and corporate ethics.