Is Venus Williams fed up with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Not so fast.
Some fans think the tennis superstar, 44, snubbed the Sussexes at the 2024 ESPY Awards last week when Harry, 39, was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
In a ESPN video from the event, Venus initially remained in her seat and didnโt clap for Harry as he was called to the stage.ย
Later in the clip, however, Venus is seen standing next to Markle, 42, during Harryโs speech.
Despite her support, some viewers took to social media to react to the moment.
โI donโt blame her. He made the award a joke,โ one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
โI would not get up for Harry either!โ another person said.
Someone else tweeted, โVenus knows whatโs up.โ
A different person wrote, โShe stood eventually, but out of duress because they all ended up standing.โ
โNo claim whatsoever! Itโs there perfectly on video for all to see โฆ Venus sees straight through Markleโs facade,โ another tweet read.
Venusโ sister Serena Williams, an ESPYs host, is best friends with Meghan. She was at the Sussexes wedding in 2018.
Serena, 42, also poked fun at the couple and accused them of overshadowing her appearance.
โPlease, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight,โ the athlete joked on stage, adding, โThis is my night and I donโt want to be overshadowed by accusations you guys are taking up too much oxygen.โ
Harry and Markle were seen smiling after Serena made the remarks.
The award Harry won is named after Pat Tillman โ the ex-NFL player who enlisted in the US Army after 9/11 and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.
Many objected to Harry being named as the recipient of the award, including Tillmanโs mother, Mary Tillman.
โI am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,โ she told the Daily Mail last month. โThere are recipients that are far more fitting. Individuals are working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.โ
Harry was rumored to have considered declining the coveted recognition, but he ultimately decided to accept it.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold exclusively told The Post that Harry did so to โstand up for what he believes in.โ
โI thought he was going to decline it because thatโs just his nature, but maybe Harry has got to a point where heโs just decided heโs going to do what he wants and as I said, because of his military background and because of the Invictus Games, itโs something he feels really passionate about,โ said Harrold.
โHeโs accepting the award on the behalf of military personnel, so in a weird way he probably sees it as his duty to accept it,โ Harrold added.
Despite the backlash, Harry mentioned Mary in his speech. โ[Maryโs] advocacy for Patโs legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,โ he said. โThe bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.โ
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Source: USA Today