Tennis great Serena Williams has led applause for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the 2024 ESPY Awards.
Prince Harry, 39, who has been chosen as an honoree in recognition of his work with the Invictus Games Foundation, attended the event at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre with wife Meghan Markle, 42.
The ceremony is being hosted by Serena Williams, a close friend of the couple.
She gave the pair a special mention in her opening monologue, following criticism after Harry was named as recipient of the Pat Tillman Award.
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“It’s well, actually only pretty often that I get to be in a room with actual royalty, 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 jokey ‘warning’ for the couple: “But please, Harry and Meghan, 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 the accusations that you guys are taking up too much oxygen, OK?”
The footage cut to the duke and duchess laughing at the joke from the front row.
Prince Harry was been chosen as an honoree at the awards in recognition of his work with the Invictus Games Foundation, collecting 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 was in attendance at the ceremony Thursday night.
Tillman Shelton was married to the NFL star when he was killed while serving in the military in Afghanistan in 2004.
“I would like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mrs. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother,” Prince Harry said.
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“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal, and one that I respect.
“The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
His words of praise for the Tillman family came after they expressed shock at Prince Harry being named as recipient of this year’s award.
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” Mary Tillman told the Daily Mail last month.
“There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”
“These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has,” she continued. “I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex didn’t walk the red carpet ahead of the awards following the controversy.
Meghan and Williams have known each other since 2010 after meeting at a Super Bowel XLIV event.
They forged a close friendship, supporting each other over the years including at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding in 2018.
Meghan was photographed sitting courtside at the US Open in 2019 as Williams battled it out in the women’s single’s final against Canada’s Bianca Andreescu.
Williams was also a guest on the duchess’ podcast, Archetypes.
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