Meghan Markle Accused Of Using Valentino's Death As Fashion 'Opportunity', 'Angling' For Coveted Seat At Funeral

Meghan Markle is used to being in the spotlight, but her latest supposed move has gotten a lot of negative attention that goes beyond the usual royal rift. Reports say that the Duchess of Sussex is 'angling' for a seat at the funeral of the famous Italian designer Valentino Garavani, who died on January 19, 2026, at the age of 93.

As the world gets ready to say goodbye to a fashion giant, some people are accusing Meghan of seeing the sad event as a chance to 'network' and solidify her place among the world's top fashionistas.

The funeral, scheduled for Friday, 23 January at 11:00am, at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome, is expected to be a star-studded affair. Given Valentino's decades-long career dressing the world's most famous women, the guest list will likely include the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

However, Meghan's potential inclusion has raised eyebrows, with insiders claiming she is 'quietly reaching out' to the designer's inner circle to ensure she isn't left off the guest list.

The Strategy Behind Meghan Markle and the Fashion Elite

According to Hollywood insider Rob Shuter, the Duchess is being 'very deliberate' about her presence at the memorial. 'Meghan wants to pay her respects and be seen honouring a designer she's admired for years,' a source shared. While it is true that Meghan has never actually attended a Valentino runway show, she has frequently turned to the house for her most high-profile appearances.

Royal watchers will remember the vibrant red capelet dress she wore during her 2019 tour of Morocco, or the white floral minidress she chose for the Global Citizen Live event in 2021. Perhaps most notably, she opted for an oversized white Valentino pantsuit for the 2022 Invictus Games. For Meghan, wearing the clothes is one thing, but being present for the final farewell of the man behind the brand represents a different level of industry validation.

'Meghan sees this as an opportunity,' an insider revealed. 'It's not just paying respects — it's about being part of the inner circle of the fashion world. She knows this is one of those moments where image and timing matter.' For a woman whose brand is built on a carefully curated public persona, appearing alongside the 'fashion faithful' in Rome could provide a significant boost to her international standing at a time when more than 10,000 people have already paid their respects during his lying in state at Piazza Mignanelli.

From Paris to Rome: Can Meghan Markle Twist Arms Again?

People are doubtful about Meghan's plans because she was at Paris Fashion Week in October 2025. While she occupied a coveted front-row seat at the Balenciaga show on 4 October, it later emerged that she may have 'invited herself' rather than waiting for a formal summons. Creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli confirmed the surprise arrival, stating, 'She reached out and said she'd love to come to the show. There was no strategy or big orchestration.'

Meghan may be hoping to lean on her relationship with Piccioli once again to secure her spot in Rome. Piccioli served as the creative director at Valentino for years before moving to Balenciaga, making him a powerful ally in her quest for a funeral invitation. However, her track record with fashion-related publicity hasn't been without its scandals.

During her time in Paris, Meghan faced a massive backlash after posting an Instagram Story from the back of her chauffeured SUV. The video showed her resting her feet on the vehicle's seat as the car approached the Pont de l'Alma tunnel—the site where her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, tragically died in 1997. The move was branded as 'disturbing' and 'crass,' with sources claiming Prince William was 'livid beyond words' at what he perceived as a 'personal desecration' of sacred ground.

As Rome prepares for the arrival of the world's most influential designers and muses, all eyes will be on whether the Duchess of Sussex successfully secures her seat. If she does, she will need to navigate the event with far more sensitivity than she showed in Paris, or risk turning a final tribute into a PR disaster. For now, the 'Diva Duchess' remains focused on the prize: a place among the elite, even if she has to fight for it.