Beyoncé and daughter Blue Ivy break major rule as singer makes Met Gala comeback

Beyoncé made a long-awaited return to the Met Gala – after last attending in 2016 – and brought a surprise guest with her.

The superstar, who served as one of this year’s co-chairs, arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art alongside husband Jay-Z and their 14-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter, marking the teenager’s first-ever appearance at fashion’s most exclusive night.

While the trio’s entrance attracted plenty of attention, it also raised eyebrows: Blue Ivy’s attendance appears to go against one of the Met Gala’s most talked-about rules.

Since 2018, the event has operated under a reported age restriction of 18 and over, with organisers previously stating it is ‘not an appropriate event for people under 18’.

Maddie Ziegler first brought the rule to light in 2018, telling The Hollywood Reporter that she ‘can’t go because I’m not old enough’ with the Met later confirming her statement.

Blue arrived dressed in a strapless white Balenciaga gown with a sweeping train, paired the look with an unzipped jacket and sunglasses.

What was the theme for the Met Gala 2026?

This year's theme was Costume Art, named after the museum's new exhibition
The specific dress code for the gala was Fashion Is Art, with guests encouraged to explore fashion as an art form and to reflect on art history.

Beyoncé, meanwhile, embraced the theatrical spirit of the evening in a dramatic custom look by Olivier Rousteing, featuring a sculptural, skeletal-inspired design and a sweeping feathered cape.

Speaking to Vogue, the singer praised her daughter’s appearance, saying: ‘I think she looks so incredible.’
The age policy has kept younger stars off the guest list in recent years, but exceptions do seem to exist: Nicole Kidman was also joined by her 17-year-old daughter, Sunday Rose.
Kidman, alongside Beyonce, was one of the evening’s co-chairs, and the Oscar-winning actress fully embraced the spotlight, wearing a striking sequined red Chanel gown.

The other co-chairs included Venus Williams and Anna Wintour.

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