Fans speculated whether Venus Williams subtly disrespected Prince Harry at the 2024 ESPYs during his acceptance of the Pat Tillman Award For Service.
At Thursday’s event, Williams was seated next to the royal and his wife, Meghan Markle, when he was called to the stage to receive the award.
Markle, 42, proudly stood up and applauded for Harry, 39, who went on stage to accept his award. The audience followed Markle’s lead and gave him a standing ovation.
Courtesy: ESPN
However, the tennis icon remained seated and did not clap for the California-based royal.
Later, Williams, 44, was seen standing with the rest of the audience while Harry delivered his speech.
In his acceptance speech, the father of two discussed the Invictus Games' mission to build a “community” that unites “people together no matter one’s nationality, background or personal struggles.”
Although Williams stood up and appeared to listen intently to Harry, many fans took to social media to express their mixed reactions to the incident.
“I’m loving Venus at the moment. But let’s be honest. Should any wife LEAD the standing ovation for her husband? Especially if she’s in the front row? And is Meghan doing this for Harry? It seems more performative to draw attention to herself,” one person criticized on X (formerly Twitter).
“Venus is not standing and not clapping. She knows this is a bought award,” another person claimed.
“Are they still butt hurt that Venus and that whole front row shaded Harry… the video was even crystal clear,” shared someone.
“Venus did not stand up or clap… ooooh the shade. And the side eye from the audience was strong,” a person pointed out in social media.
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