Meghan Markle did not attend the 2026 Met Gala, and an expert believes Anna Wintour may be responsible. The gala took place on May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, with this year’s theme being “Costume Art” and the dress code being “Fashion is Art.” With Wintour once again overseeing the event, the Sussexes’ invitation was allegedly an indication of their cultural standing in entertainment and fashion.
Expert dishes on Meghan Markle’s Met Gala 2026 snub
Speaking on TalkTV, royal biographer Ingrid Seward saw Meghan Markle’s absence from the 2026 Met Gala as more than a simple no-show, speculating Anna Wintour was behind it.
Seward told host Mark Dolan that the snub was “a blow” for the Duchess of Sussex, arguing that a Met Gala appearance would have helped her fashion ambitions, adding, “Even if Meghan didn’t want to go, she needs the kudos of being seen there.”
She reasoned, “Because that would really up her rate and make her, you know, a proper person in the fashion world.” The expert also claimed that if Wintour did not want Markle there, “Meghan won’t be there.”
Seward did acknowledge that no one can say for certain whether the duchess wanted to attend in the first place, noting, “Maybe she never even wanted to go.”
However, she pointed out that industry insiders and general people seeing a celebrity at the Met Gala still carries weight for someone trying to build fashion credibility, while describing Markle as “a very stylish dresser,” but criticizing the way she has presented her fashion projects.
Nonetheless, there is a difference between commentary and confirmed fact. What everyone knows is that the Sussexes did not attend the Met Gala, but it is still unclear whether they never received an invitation or simply had no interest in taking part in fashion’s biggest night.
