Rhianna Benson
Rocking up to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art last night, Beyoncé finally broke her decade-long Met Gala absence.
The last time the 44-year-old attended the high-fashion soiree was in 2016.
That year, in line with the 'Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology' theme, she wore a pale custom Givenchy latex gown covered in intricate floral embellishments, designed by Riccardo Tisci.
The following year, however, Queen Bey was noticeably missing from the A-list festivities.
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Such was also the case in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
It would take a full 10 years for overseer and ex-Vogue boss Anna Wintour to rope the chart-topping artist back in again.
She attended this year's extravaganza, the theme of which was 'Costume Art', with her music producer husband, Jay-Z, and their 14-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, who made her Met Gala debut.
Beyoncé donned a breathtaking flesh-coloured bodysuit, which she'd adorned with a diamond skeleton design. She also paired the look with a gigantic feathered coat, complete with an exaggerated train.
Her attendance has peaked questioning as to why she had taken a decade-long break from the star-studded festivities.
It turns out, however, that there's no single confirmed, official reason why Beyoncé kept turning down her invitations.
It may well have been due to career commitments, as 2016 marked the release and cultural rollout of Lemonade and its tour. Two years later, she also headlined Coachella and fronted joint tours with her rapper hubby.
In 2017, she and Jay-Z welcomed twins, with Rumi and Sir's birth coinciding directly with the Met Gala season that year.
And since becoming a mother-of-three, Beyoncé has proven rather more selective about her public appearances, with fans believing the musician now only attends events that align with her image, timing or creative narrative.
In 2022, photos also emerged showing the 'Single Ladies' star vacationing with Jay-Z in Miami and on private islands near Florida's coast during the period that the Met Gala was being held.
It's safe to say, however, that Beyoncé came back with a bang.
Discussing her outfit on Vogue's live stream, the 'This Ain't Texas' singer explained: "It’s designed by Olivier Rousteing, somebody who has been so loyal to me, and I’ve done so many iconic looks with him."
She also gushed over Blue Ivy's sweet get-up, which comprised a white puffball dress and a pair of enormous sunglasses.
"It feels surreal, because my daughter's here," Beyoncé smiled. "She looks so beautiful. It's incredible to be able to share it with her.
"And I think she looks so incredible."
Beyoncé is also serving as a co-chair of the 2026 Met Gala, alongside Wintour, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams.
It'll be the first time that the 'Irreplaceable' star will officially step into the important role, after first serving as an honorary chair back in 2013.