Meghan Markle has faced backlash after sharing a video filmed near the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris — the site of Princess Diana’s fatal 1997 car crash — during her solo visit to France for Paris Fashion Week.
The clip, posted to the Duchess of Sussex’s Instagram story on Saturday night, showed her travelling by car along the Seine after attending Balenciaga’s show.
The video, which appeared to be recorded from the back seat, captured the Pont Alexandre III bridge before the car continued towards the Pont de l’Alma.
Online users quickly drew parallels with the final journey of Prince Harry’s mother. One social media post read: “Please tell me that’s not real..? She didn’t actually do that… did she..?”
Another said: “For most people whose husband’s mother died, passing the area where it happened would be a moment of quiet, respectful contemplation.”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the Mail the post was “insensitive beyond belief”.
He added: “I don’t understand what on earth she was thinking – well, she can’t have been thinking… to share a video which had any connections with the tragic death of the Princess of Wales defies belief.”
However, several social media users came to Meghan’s defence, with one writing: “The bridge Meghan filmed from her car at night was The Pont Alexandre III and NOT the Pont de l’Alma where Diana was in a crash.
Meghan Markle facing backlash over Paris video filmed near Princess Diana crash site
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INSTAGRAM/@MEGHAN / GETTY
“Whilst the bridges are very close, approx 1.4 km apart, it is not the same bridge.”
Another quipped: “I guess Meghan looked waaaaay too good because now they’re mad she posted a video of her feet up in the car, THREE BRIDGES away from the tunnel Diana died in 28 years ago.”
The short video followed Meghan’s appearance at the Balenciaga show, where she supported her friend Pierpaolo Piccioli in his debut as creative director.
She wore head-to-toe custom Balenciaga by Mr Piccioli, alongside black heels from the brand.
Meghan filmed from the Pont Alexandre III bridge
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INSTAGRAM / @MEGHAN
At the event, she was seen greeting Vogue editor Dame Anna Wintour before taking her seat.
Later that evening, Meghan was photographed dining at Saint-Germain-des-Prés restaurant Sugaar with close friend Markus Anderson, global membership director of Soho House.
She wore a custom Balenciaga black backless dress, her oval-shaped diamond stud earrings and her diamond pear-shaped ring.
A source told the Mail she “enjoyed some sardines, and a few prawns, with some nice wine” before returning to the Hotel Plaza Athénée, located near the Place Diana memorial.
The Duchess’s team issued a statement confirming her attendance, saying: “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attended the Balenciaga show in Paris on Saturday night in support of Pierpaolo Piccioli, who recently assumed the role of creative director for the house.
“This marks her first time back to the shows in over a decade. Over the years, the duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo.
“They have worked closely together on design for key moments on the world stage.
“She has long admired his craftsmanship and modern elegance, and tonight was no different.”
Meghan Markle later changed into a black backless dress for the evening
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The following day, Meghan uploaded a short Instagram reel captioned “about last night”, featuring shots of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe but omitting the car footage that had prompted the online criticism.
Prince Harry has previously spoken about the same tunnel in his memoir Spare, describing how he once drove through it in 2007 to understand the circumstances of his mother’s death.
GB News has contacted representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment.