Meghan Markle’s recent visit to Paris Fashion Week in France sparked attention for various reasons, such as her controversial attire and an awkward encounter with former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
However, the most contentious moment during her stay in Paris occurred when the Duchess of Sussex shared a video of herself being chauffeured around the city, capturing the scenery and unwinding after attending the Balenciaga runway show. Observant royal enthusiasts noticed that the locations featured in Meghan’s video were in close proximity to the site of Princess Diana’s tragic passing in 1997.
In the footage, Meghan was depicted with her feet up on the car seat, showcasing iconic Parisian landmarks like the Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Invalides bridges along the River Seine. The clip suggested she was en route to the Pont d’Alma bridge, adjacent to the Pont d’Alma tunnel where the fatal car crash involving Princess Diana, Dodi Fayed, and their driver Henri Paul occurred.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond remarked that while Meghan likely did not intend to offend royal supporters, her video could be perceived as lacking consideration and appropriateness. Bond suggested that Meghan should have been more thoughtful before sharing the video, especially considering its potential to upset some viewers.
In response to the backlash over the video, a Sussex source informed Newsweek that it was unjust for critics to draw connections between Meghan’s Paris video and her late mother-in-law, labeling it as insensitive. The source emphasized that Meghan was unaware of the tunnel’s proximity during the recording.
In light of the incident, considerations were raised about the need for Meghan to acknowledge the inadvertent insensitivity and offer an apology to address any concerns that arose from the video.