Meghan Markle and Prince Harry laughed awkwardly after Serena Williams made a savage joke urging the royal couple not to “overshadow” her and not to breathe “too much oxygen”.
Williams – who hosted the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday – has been friends with the Duchess of Sussex for over a decade after they met at the 2010 Super Bowl.
During her introduction, the former world No.1 tennis player gave the couple a warm welcome before jokingly saying: “But please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight.
“Because this is my night and I don’t want to be overshadowed by accusations you guys are taking up too much oxygen.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry laughed awkwardly after Serena Williams made a savage joke urging the royal couple not to ‘overshadow’ her and not to breathe ‘too much oxygen’
ABC
Meghan and Harry were spotted laughing and taking the brutal joke in good spirits.
Prince Harry attended the ceremony to accept an award, despite calls for him to reject the accolade.
Harry faced criticism over his nomination for the Pat Tillman Award for Service after it was revealed that he would receive it for founding the Invictus Games ten years ago.
The awards were set up in honour of Tillman, a former NFL player who enlisted in the US Army following 9/11 and died in 2004 while serving in the military.
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The Duchess of Sussex for over a decade after they met at the 2010 Super Bowl.
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Tilman’s mother, Mary, was among those condemning the Duke’s nomination as she shared her “shock” at hearing that such a “controversial and divisive individual” was set to receive the award named after her son.
Harry addressed Mary while accepting her son’s namesake award.
The Duke told the crowd that he has “respect” for Mary’s advocacy of her son’s memory.
ESPN has defended its decision to nominate Harry as officials noted his role in setting up the Invictus Games.
Meghan’s friend tennis legend Serena Williams hosted the awards in LAGetty
Harry was pictured alongside Meghan and Williams on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre.
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Harry was pictured alongside Meghan and Williams on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre.
Host Williams delivered the joke at the beginning of her monologue after drawing attention to the couple as they received a huge round of applause.
Reflecting on their friendship, Meghan wrote on her Tig blog back in 2014: “We are both the same age, have a penchant for hot sauces and adore fashion.
“But what connects us more than those things is perhaps our belief in exceeding expectations – our endless ambition.”