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 didn’t clap for Harry as he was called to the stage. Later in the clip, however, Venus is seen standing next to Markle, 42, during Harry’s speech.
Despite her support, some viewers took to social media to react to the moment.
“I don’t blame her. He made the award a joke,” one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“I would not get up for Harry either!” another person said.
Someone else tweeted, “Venus knows what’s up.”
A different person wrote, “She stood eventually, but out of duress because they all ended up standing.”
“No claim whatsoever! It’s there perfectly on video for all to see … Venus sees straight through Markle’s facade,” another tweet read.
Venus’ 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.
“Please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight,” the athlete joked on stage, adding, “This is my night and I don’t want to be overshadowed by accusations you guys are taking up too much oxygen.”
Harry and Markle were seen smiling after Serena made the remarks.
The award Harry won 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.
Many objected to Harry 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.”
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 “stand up for what he believes in.”
“I thought he was going to decline it because that’s just his nature, but maybe Harry has got to a point where he’s just decided he’s going to do what he wants and as I said, because of his military background and because of the Invictus Games, it’s something he feels really passionate about,” said Harrold.
“He’s accepting the award on the behalf of military personnel, so in a weird way he probably sees it as his duty to accept it,” Harrold added.
Despite the backlash, Harry mentioned Mary in his speech. “[Mary’s] advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,” he said. “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
