2026 Could Finally Be the Year Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Score an Invite to the Met Gala
Meghan Markle caught the attention of the fashion world when she made a surprise appearance at Paris Fashion Week earlier this year. But was the buzz enough to secure her an invite to the 2026 Met Gala? Having traded royal corridors for Hollywood red carpets, Markle and Prince Harry now appear tantalizingly close to fashion’s most exclusive night. As the Duchess signals her return to the spotlight with a new Netflix project and her upcoming film, Close Personal Friends, Harry is also keeping pace. He recently charmed audiences on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, even delivering a playful lip-sync inspired by The Great British Bake Off.
The Sussexes continue to command attention, whether for the right reasons or the wrong ones, and that visibility is only amplifying their cultural relevance. Behind the scenes, the couple is quietly cultivating connections within elite creative circles, potentially positioning themselves for the ultimate invitation. Markle’s recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week proved particularly telling, as she was spotted striking up a warm rapport with Met Gala 'ice queen' Anna Wintour, seemingly putting their much-discussed British Vogue conflict in the past.
Adding to the intrigue, several of Markle’s close friends, including Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman, and Beyoncé, are set to host this year’s Met Gala, a star-studded alliance that could work decisively in her favor, securing an invite. According to News Nation, the Sussexes are tight with Venus's sister Serena Williams and share a bond with Beyoncé. The Halo singer previously extended her support to Markle after her explosive Oprah Winfrey interview, calling her brave for standing her ground. "Two tangential friends are hosting, she could go,” said a fashion source about the possibility of Markle and Harry getting Met Gala invites.
Although Markle has never been spotted spending time with Beyoncé, she was present at her Renaissance World Tour in 2023 and her Cowboy Carter Tour in 2025 and even mingled with her husband, Jay-Z, at the 2019 The Lion King premiere. The Duchess has lately been climbing up the social ladder, tapping into connections. Other than her presence at the Balenciaga show in Paris, she also attended Kris Kardashian’s star-studded 70th birthday alongside Harry.
Markle's future projects might also be a contributing factor. The Met is being sponsored by Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos, who are not only producing Markle's first film in 8 years but were also the driving force behind her attending Jenner's birthday at his mansion. It is still not solidified if Beyoncé or Venus will stick with the Duchess, but the probability is high.
Met Gala 2026 promises a dazzling constellation of star power, with Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz set to co-chair the Host Committee, joined by an eclectic mix of cultural heavyweights including Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, LISA, Sam Smith, and Teyana Taylor, among others. It’s a guest list designed to blur the lines between fashion, film, and pop culture. The Gala is dated for May 2026, with 'Costume Art' as its theme, celebrating the connection between human bodies and clothes across history.