Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Interaction at Rare Red Carpet Appearance Sparks Online Discussion

A brief moment between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has sent shockwaves through royal watchers online, with fans and critics alike picking apart an exchange that many believe exposed cracks behind the couple's polished facade.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a red carpet appearance at the Project Healthy Minds' World Mental Health Day Festival in New York on October 9, 2025. But it wasn't their carefully curated looks that set the internet ablaze. It was what wasn't done and what couldn't be ignored.

They Looked the Part, But All Eyes Were on What Came Next

Harry stepped onto the black carpet in a sharp black suit, white shirt, and dark, patterned tie. Meghan matched him in black, wearing a sleek pantsuit with her hair swept back into a ponytail, and a gold necklace glinting at her collar.

But the moment they stepped in front of photographers, things took a sudden and awkward turn. A few seconds into their posing, Meghan looked directly at her husband, but Harry failed to meet her gaze and abruptly turned and stepped away.

The Internet Goes Into Overdrive

The tail end of the videos reveals that Harry moved to greet Phil Schermer, founder and CEO of the mental health organization.

Meghan trailed a little behind but caught up to them quickly. Yet, commentary flooded in.

"Uh, she looked at him and he just straight up turned away?" one netizen asked bluntly. Another speculated, "The look she gave him. He has to be annoyed at her for the stunt in Paris!"

"He didn't want to hold her hand," someone guessed, while another said, "He rejected her. She looked at him, and he turned his head away."

One fan questioned, "Why did she hit his arm while he's shaking the man's hand? It's like she shoved him out of the w a y [sic]." Another added, "He didn't look at her once! Not even a flicker of a glance."

And then came the most brutal commentary yet.

"They're all calling for Harry and she's fuming. 😂 Best part is the way he ignores her when she stares at him. He absolutely hates her. This relationship is all performative and on its last legs. Can't wait for his tell-all divorce book 'Surviving Meghan'. Now THAT I'd buy [sic]!" someone claimed.

Supporters Praise the Couple Amid Swirling Speculation

But not everyone was convinced the moment was anything more than awkward timing. Some netizens focused on the couple who were attending an event that mattered to them.

"Haven't seen these two king& Queens in a minute they look 👀 nice 🥰 ❤️❤️ [sic]," one fan cheered. Another opined, "She looks young and fresh. very beautiful indeed."

Whether the viral moment was a marital misstep or just a case of the Duke being distracted, one thing is clear: when Harry and Meghan Markle step into the spotlight, the world is watching and ready to dissect every move.

The Duchess was also a topic of discussion during Paris Fashion Week. As previously reported, the Duchess of Sussex attended the October 4, 2025, debut of Pierpaolo Piccioli for Balenciaga. And while Meghan may have arrived to support a friend, their encounter became a main talking point of the event.

Stunning at Her First Paris Fashion Week

Wearing a crisp Balenciaga all-white outfit — a dramatic cape layered over a silk button-down shirt and matching pants, paired with black pointed high heels — Meghan stood out from the crowd.

She was all elegance as she supported her designer friend, Pierpaolo, who was officially named Creative Director back in May and assumed the role in July.

He was described on the Instagram announcement as a "master of Haute Couture." The fashion house also praised him as someone who would build on the brand's monumental success while honoring the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga.

A Hug, A Photo… and a Mishap That Nearly Went Too Far

After the show, Meghan approached Pierpaolo for a photo-op and a few warm words, but what happened next sparked a buzz among netizens.

In a 15-second TikTok clip posted by Saint Leon, Meghan and Pierpaolo are seen placing their hands on each other in a surprisingly warm gesture.

They greet each other with a kiss on one cheek, then, following Parisian custom, turn to the other. However, a slight miscalculation in timing sends their faces startlingly close, teetering on the edge of an accidental kiss on the lips.

The two quickly laugh it off, sharing a smile before turning to pose for photographers. Once the cameras are done snapping, they hug again, seemingly unbothered. But that wasn't all to it.

A Whisper in His Ear and Touches That Sparked a Firestorm

A seeming follow-up video posted by Women's Wear Daily showed Meghan leaning in again, but this time, she whispered something into Pierpaolo's ear.

The two remain close, continuing their conversation while touching each other's wrists, a gesture that didn't sit well with many viewers. Social media exploded, with fans and critics alike dissecting the body language and interpreting its meaning.

"That was awkward," one viewer commented plainly. "Omg sooo awkward," echoed another on Instagram. Others posted, "Strange."

But the criticism didn't stop there. Some commenters turned their focus on Pierpaolo, accusing him of crossing a line. "He got way to [sic] close. Have some respect for women. I can't, I get so uncomfortable when people get that close to me," wrote one Instagrammer.

"He was trying g to get too close. The long embrace was very inappropriate [sic]," another added. Over on Facebook, someone bluntly stated, "Doesn't look appropriate to me."

As many debated the encounter, others questioned, "Where is Harry?"