Los Angeles, CA - Serena Williams pokes fun at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s reputation for being in the spotlight, as she hosts the ESPY Awards. Harry and Meghan were sitting in the audience at the awards ceremony, surrounded by famous athletes when tennis legend Williams took a cheeky dig during her opening monologue. Williams, a friend of Meghan and Harry's, gave the couple a shout-out before leaving the couple smirking with her comments. "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. "Prince Harry and Meghan are here. Let's give it up for them." She then continued: "But please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight. 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, okay?" The couple are at the awards show as Harry is being awarded with the Pat Tillman Award For Service, recognizing his work with service personnel and veterans through the Invictus Games as the adaptive sports competition is celebrating its 10th year. The Duchess of Sussex and Williams have known each other since 2010 when they met at a Super Bowl XLIV event. They've since supported each other during clothing line launches, tennis tournaments, podcasts and even weddings, as Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, attended Meghan and Prince Harry's 2018 nuptials at Windsor Castle. *BACKGRID DOES NOT CLAIM ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE ATTACHED MATERIAL. ANY DOWNLOADING FEES CHARGED BY BACKGRID ARE FOR BACKGRID'S SERVICES ONLY, AND DO NOT, NOR ARE THEY INTENDED TO, CONVEY TO THE USER ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE MATERIAL. BY PUBLISHING THIS MATERIAL , THE USER EXPRESSLY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND TO HOLD BACKGRID HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH USER'S PUBLICATION OF THE MATERIAL* BACKGRID UK 11 JULY 2024,Image: 889202440, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: RIGHTS: WORLDWIDE EXCEPT IN UNITED STATES, *** HANDOUT image or SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGE or FILMSTILL for EDITORIAL USE ONLY! * Please note: Fees charged by Profimedia are for the Profimedia's services only, and do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any ownership of Copyright or License in the material. Profimedia does not claim any ownership including but not limited to Copyright or License in the attached material. By publishing this material you (the user) expressly agree to indemnify and to hold Profimedia and its directors, shareholders and employees harmless from any loss, claims, damages, demands, expenses (including legal fees), or any causes of action or allegation against Profimedia arising out of or connected in any way with publication of the material. Profimedia does not claim any copyright or license in the attached materials. Any downloading fees charged by Profimedia are for Profimedia's services only. * Handling Fee Only ***, Model Release: no, Pictured: Serena Williams

Serena William attends the 2024 Costume Institute Benefit for "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City, USA. Photo by DNphotography/ABACAPRESS.COM

Serena Williams et son mari Alexis Ohanian - Célébrités assistent à la victoire de Léon Marchand qui devient champion Olympique sur 400 m 4 nages lors des Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024 (JO) à Paris La Defense Arena à Nanterre le 28 juillet 2024. © Dominique Jacovides-Pierre Perusseau/Bestimage Celebrities attend the victory of Léon Marchand who becomes Olympic champion in the 400m medley during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Olympics) at Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre on July 28, 2024,Image: 893606106, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no