This Grand Slam champ slammed her royal friends — but it was all in jest.
Serena Williams poked fun at pals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday night, accusing them of overshadowing her appearance at the event.
The tennis legend hosted the awards show at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, where Harry was being honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Taking to the stage, Williams told the crowd that the Sussexes were in the audience, before stating: “Please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight.”
“This is my night and I don’t want to be overshadowed by accusations you guys are taking up too much oxygen,” she further sassed.
Host Serena Williams speaks on stage during the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024.Getty Images for W+P
The Sussexes attended the awards show at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, where Harry was being honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Harry and Markle were seen smiling after Williams made the remarks, appearing to take the joke in their stride.
Markle has been friends with Williams for years, and the athlete attended the pair’s royal wedding back in 2018.
Earlier in the evening, they posed alongside the tennis superstar on the awards show’s red carpet.
And later in the night, Harry took to the stage to receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his military experience and work on the Invictus Games.
The award is named after Pat Tillman — the ex-NFL player who enlisted in the US Army after 9/11 and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.
Earlier in the evening, the couple posed alongside the tennis superstar on the awards show’s red carpet.Getty Images for W+P
Prince Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service.Disney
Many people objected to the prince being named as the recipient of the award, including Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman.
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” she told the Daily Mail last month. “There are recipients that are far more fitting. Individuals are working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”
News
Royal Family won’t apologise: If Meghan Markle wants to be back, she has to meet THIS condition, says expert
Meghan Markle’s potential return to the Royal Family hinges on meeting one condition. Tom Quinn warns that seeking apologies or major changes would likely prevent her from…
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly living very ‘separate lives’
Prince Harry’s recent solo engagements, including a black-tie dinner for the WHO, were without Meghan Markle. Prince Harry has been making numerous solo public appearances recently, but without…
‘They know nothing!’ Meghan Markle and Prince Harry blasted for commenting on Covid
PRINCE HARRY and Meghan Markle have been grilled for their outspoken comments on the coronavirus vaccine. Royal expert Angela Levin took aim at both Meghan Markle and Prince Harry while…
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle grappling with ‘dislike and distrust’ from Hollywood’s inner circles
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a contract worth millions of pounds with Netflix. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are grappling with “dislike and distrust” from…
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle deny brutal claim about their Hollywood career: ‘Terrified’
Meghan Markle has denied a bombshell claim that her staff are “terrified” of her as a new report suggests she and Prince Harry are not being taken seriously in Hollywood….
Prince Harry recalls mom lived through ‘compassion’ while presenting The Diana Award at another solo event without Meghan Markle
Prince Harry speaks with Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang of Indonesia, left, and Christina Williams of Jamaica, second from the right, Monday morning Harry recalled his mom, Princess…
End of content
No more pages to load