Blue Ivy Carter Keeps Sunglasses On at 2026 Met Gala Debut

Blue Ivy Carter, the 14-year-old daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, attended the 2026 Met Gala on May 5, ignoring repeated requests to remove her sunglasses during the red carpet appearance. Video footage showed Beyoncé's publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, gesturing for the teen to take off the accessory, followed by involvement from stylist Ty Hunter and Jay-Z himself.

Despite the pleas, Blue Ivy kept the cat-eye sunglasses on as she posed in a billowy cream Balenciaga dress and matching bomber jacket. Beyoncé, wearing a skeleton-inspired gown designed by Olivier Rousteing, appeared unaffected by the situation and smiled at her daughter throughout the event.

The singer, who co-chaired the gala, had not attended in 10 years and described the experience as surreal, noting her daughter's readiness for the moment.

The Met Gala has a policy stating that attendees must be at least 18 years old, as reported in 2018 guidelines, but exceptions can be made for those accompanied by parents. Blue Ivy benefited from such an exception, likely aided by Beyoncé's role as co-chair alongside Nicole Kidman, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, and Anna Wintour.

Similarly, Nicole Kidman's 17-year-old daughter, Sunday Rose Urban, attended in a pale purple Dior look. A representative for Beyoncé and Jay-Z did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the sunglasses incident or the age exception.

The 2026 Met Gala drew a range of celebrities, including Madonna, Cher, Bad Bunny, and Sabrina Carpenter, who graced the red carpet. Social media clips circulated after the event, confirming Blue Ivy's reluctance to remove the sunglasses amid the flashing cameras. Beyoncé expressed pride in sharing the night with her daughter, calling her look incredible.

“It feels surreal [to be back] because my daughter’s here. She looks so beautiful. It’s incredible to be able to share it with her, and I think she looks so incredible. She was ready. She is ready.”

The event marked Blue Ivy's first appearance at the gala, where she modeled her outfit alongside her parents. Footage captured Jay-Z stepping forward to ensure his daughter heard the request amid the noise, but she remained unmoved. Proud reactions from Beyoncé highlighted the family moment despite the minor conflict.

Organizers have enforced the age rule in recent years to maintain the event's appropriateness, though parental accompaniment allows for case-by-case exceptions. Blue Ivy's participation aligns with similar allowances, such as for Sunday Rose Urban. The gala served as a high-profile return for Beyoncé after a decade away.