Meghan Markle’s friendship with Serena Williams - exclusive baby shower and surviving sister Venus’ 'shade' at awards show
Serena is one of Meghan's closest friends
Meghan Markle and Serena Williams have shared a long-standing friendship spanning more than a decade.
From baby showers to royal weddings, their bond has stayed strong.
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How Meghan Markle and Serena Williams’ friendship began
Meghan, 43, and tennis legend Serena, 43, first met at the 2010 Super Bowl but became close in 2014 after reconnecting.
Writing in her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig, Meghan recalled her first impressions of the tennis icon.
“When Serena Williams barrelled in my direction this past February at an event, nails done, hair done, everything did, I’ll be honest and say I looked behind me to see who she was running to,” she wrote.
“It was Serena Williams, after all. Serena-numberonetennisplayerintheworld-Williams. Turns out this fancy lady was coming to me. We hit it off immediately, taking pictures, laughing through the flag football game we were both playing in, and chatting not about tennis or acting, but about all the good old fashioned girly stuff.”
She described how they instantly bonded, forming a close, supportive friendship.
Meghan wrote: “We are both the same age, have a penchant for hot sauces and adore fashion. But what connects us more than those things is perhaps our belief in exceeding expectations – our endless ambition.”
Since then, the pair has continued to support each other through life’s biggest moments.
Meghan Markle’s baby shower for son Archie
Serena played a key role when Meghan transitioned into royal life. She attended Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding in 2018 and even threw Meghan’s extravagant baby shower in 2019 at the Mark Hotel in Manhattan.
Speaking about the event, Serena told Business of Fashion: “Planning something like that takes a lot of effort. I’m a perfectionist, so I was like, ‘Let’s make it perfect.'”
Meghan, in turn, was a dedicated supporter of Serena’s tennis career. She attended Wimbledon 2019 alongside Kate Middleton and flew to New York City to cheer for Serena at the US Open.
Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives her life with empathy and compassion.
After Meghan and Harry’s bombshell Oprah interview in 2021, Serena publicly supported her friend.
“Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives her life with empathy and compassion,” Serena wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she’s experienced.”
In 2022, Serena was the first guest on Meghan’s Archetypes podcast. The duo reminisced about their friendship as they discussed Serena’s tennis career.
Venus Williams accused of throwing ‘shade’ at Meghan and Harry
Despite Meghan’s close friendship with Serena, her bond with Venus Williams appears less certain.
At the 2024 ESPY Awards, Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Meghan was the first to stand and applaud, followed by most of the audience. However, Venus Williams remained seated.
Viewers quickly took to social media, speculating that Venus deliberately snubbed the Duke of Sussex.
“Venus is not standing and not clapping. She knows this is a bought award,” one viewer tweeted.
“Ooooh the shade! Venus did not stand up or clap,” another wrote.
However, others defended Venus. “Lots of people weren’t clapping – maybe she didn’t see what was happening?” One viewer questioned.
A Page Six source later dismissed the rumours, insisting: “You can see in the video she stood up to show her support.”
Serena shares support for With Love, Meghan
With Meghan’s upcoming Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, set to premiere on March 4, Serena has shown her support once again.
Meghan recently shared a heartwarming Instagram story featuring Serena playing with Princess Lilibet.
“When the aunties come to celebrate…and to play! Love you @serenawilliams,” she captioned the video.
Serena responded by posting a black-and-white image of her and Meghan embracing. She tagged Meghan in the story.
As Meghan shifts her focus to lifestyle branding and Netflix, her relationship with Serena remains one of her closest friendships.
With Love, Meghan premieres on Netflix on March 4.
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