ESPY Awards 2024: Serena Williams leads applause for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in speech

Tennis is great Serena Williams has applauded the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the 2024 ESPY Awards.

Prince Harry39, who was chosen as the guest of honor for his work with the Invictus Games Foundation, attended the event at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with his wife Meghan Markle, 42.

Serena Williams, a close friend of the couple, is hosting the ceremony.

She gave the couple a special mention in her opening monologue, following criticism after Harry was named as the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award.

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“Well, actually, I only get to be in a room with actual royals very often, and tonight is no exception,” Williams said during her opening monologue.

“Prince Harry and Meghan are here. Let’s give it up for them.”

She continued with a funny ‘warning’ for the couple: “But Harry and Meghan, please try not to breathe too much tonight.

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“Because this is my night, and I don’t want to be overshadowed by accusations that you’re using too much oxygen, okay?”

The footage cuts to the Duke and Duchess laughing at the joke from the front row.

Prince Harry was chosen as guest of honour at the awards ceremony in recognition of his work with the Invictus Games Foundation. He received the Pat Tillman Award.

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Harry began his speech by expressing his gratitude to the Pat Tillman Foundation, co-founded by Marie Tillman Shelton, who attended Thursday night’s ceremony.

Tillman Shelton was married to the NFL star when he was killed in action during his military service in Afghanistan in 2004.

“I would like to thank the Tillman family, and in particular Mrs Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother,” Prince Harry said.

Harry’s life was shaped by comments made minutes after birth

“Her commitment to Pat’s legacy is very personal and I respect it.

“The bond between mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”

His words of praise for the Tillman family came after they expressed shock that Prince Harry would receive this year’s award.

“I am shocked that they selected such a controversial and divisive person to receive the award,” Mary Tillman told the Daily mail last month.

“There are recipients that are much more appropriate. There are people who work in the veteran community who are doing wonderful things to help veterans.”

“These people don’t have the money, the resources, the connections or the privileges that Prince Harry has,” she continued. “I think these people need to be recognised.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not appear on the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony due to the controversy.

Meghan and Williams have known each other since 2010, after meeting at a Super Bowl XLIV event.

They developed a close friendship and supported each other for years, including during Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding in 2018.

Meghan was photographed sitting on the sidelines at the 2019 US Open as Williams took on Canada’s Bianca Andreescu in the women’s singles final.

Williams was also a guest on the Duchess’s podcast, Archetypes.

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