As the fashion world’s elite descended upon New York City for the 2026 Met Gala, one of the globe’s most discussed figures was notably absent from the red carpet. Instead of climbing the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was spotted nearly 800 miles away in a much more humble setting: a church pew in the heart of the Midwest.
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Jonathan Brady-Pool
Over the weekend, the Duchess made a surprise solo appearance at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago to attend the First Communion of her godson. The child is the son of one of Markle’s closest friends from her time at Northwestern University, where she studied theatre and international studies from 1999 to 2003. While the visit was framed as a deeply personal homecoming, the timing has ignited a firestorm of online debate, with critics and supporters at odds over whether the trip was a sincere gesture or a calculated PR maneuver.
Dressed in an understated yet elegant beige turtleneck, the Duchess reportedly arrived early at the cathedral on May 2 to bypass the typical “royal fanfare.” According to sources, Markle sat among the other families and friends, maintaining a low profile as she watched the procession of children move down the aisle.
The outing was a rare public nod to her pre-royal life. Chicago holds a significant place in Markle’s history; it is where she cut her teeth in the arts before embarking on a career that would eventually lead her to Suits and, later, the British Royal Family. However, the optics of the Duchess being in Illinois while Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, and Jeff Bezos hosted pre-Met Gala festivities in Manhattan were not lost on the “royal watchers” of the internet.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits New Zealand House to sign a book of condolence on behalf of The Royal Family following the recent terror attack which saw at least 50 people killed at a Mosque in Christchurch (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)
On platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), skepticism reached a fever pitch. The 2026 Met Gala theme, “Costume Art,” with its “Fashion Is Art” dress code, is the year’s most prestigious stage. For many online critics, Markle’s presence at a private religious ceremony in Chicago felt like a convenient “shield” against the narrative that she was not invited to the Gala.
“The Met Gala is tomorrow, and we know Meghan hasn’t been invited,” one user speculated on a popular royal subreddit. “Kris Jenner, Anna Wintour, and Serena Williams were all at the pre-parties. No Meghan. I think she needs to make out that this is more important and the reason she won’t be in NY.”
Other detractors pointed to the sudden emergence of this Northwestern “best friend,” noting that many of Markle’s college acquaintances were noticeably absent from her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. To these critics, the visit was less about a godson’s milestone and more about “cooking up” an excuse to avoid the sting of a missing invitation.
However, the Duchess’s supporters were quick to fire back, arguing that the constant scrutiny creates a “no-win” situation. On X, fans pointed out that had she attended the Met Gala, she would have been accused of “chasing the spotlight” and “abandoning her family.” By choosing a private, faith-based event with old friends, she is instead accused of “faking” her relationships.
Regardless of the internet’s verdict, Markle’s stay in the Windy City was brief. The Duchess has reportedly already returned to her home in Montecito, California, to prepare for a much more significant family event. On May 6, her eldest son, Prince Archie, will celebrate his 7th birthday.
Image Source: X | @NatalieMNBC
In recent years, the Sussexes have favored private, low-key celebrations for their children, often sharing a single, curated photograph to mark the occasion. With Archie reaching age seven, the milestone comes at a time when the family is increasingly focusing on their life in America, away from the rigid expectations of the London press.
Whether the Chicago trip was a heartfelt reunion or a strategic pivot, it succeeded in one thing: ensuring that even without an invitation to the year’s biggest fashion night, Meghan Markle remained the most talked-about woman in the room.