After the runway show, Meghan approached Piccioli backstage for a friendly greeting. In a 15-second TikTok clip shared by user saintleon, the two can be seen leaning in for a traditional Parisian double-cheek kiss. But a tiny misstep in timing sent their faces inches apart — close enough to look like an almost accidental kiss.

Both quickly laughed off the moment, sharing a smile before posing for photographers. Once the cameras stopped flashing, they hugged again, appearing completely at ease. But the internet, of course, was far from calm.

The Whisper That Sparked a Firestorm

A follow-up video from Women’s Wear Daily showed Meghan leaning in again — this time to whisper something in Piccioli’s ear. The two remained close, smiling and lightly touching each other’s wrists as they talked.

That subtle exchange sent social media into overdrive. “That was awkward,” one user commented bluntly. “Omg sooo awkward,” another echoed. Others simply wrote, “Strange.”

Some commenters went further, accusing Piccioli of crossing a line. “He got way too close. Have some respect for women,” one Instagram user wrote. Another added, “The long embrace was inappropriate.”

But others defended the moment, saying the warmth looked genuine — the kind of artistic affection common in the fashion world. “People love to invent drama,” one fan commented.

Where Was Harry?

As the video racked up millions of views, another question dominated the comment sections: Where was Prince Harry?

The Duchess appeared to attend the event alone, while Harry remained in California. The speculation intensified after Meghan posted a clip on Instagram that critics called “insensitive” and “tone-deaf,” sparking a new wave of backlash.

Still, for Pierpaolo Piccioli, the night was about more than headlines. As he told The Cut, Meghan’s attendance — awkward greeting and all — was simply a gesture of friendship. “She came to support me,” he said. “And I’ll always appreciate that.”