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Serena Williams' Hilarious Sussex Warning: Sports Star Tells Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to 'Conserve Oxygen' at ESPY Awards

Tennis icon Serena Williams decided to get sassy with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards, Thursday, July 11, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Sports star icon Serena Williams decided to turn the tables on her pals, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and rib them at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, July 11.

The tennis queen hosted the gala event that saw Harry controversially receive the Pat Tillman Award against the slain war hero's mother's wishes.

But Williams cut through the seriousness by telling the royal rebels: "But please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight," she quipped. "Because this is my night and I don't want to be overshadowed by accusations you guys are taking up too much oxygen."

Harry and Meghan cut a small smile after the slight roast from their friend.

The honor is intended to honor individuals who exemplify service and leadership. While Harry’s Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, aligns with these values, some critics have argued that Harry’s nomination was undeserved.

Tillman's mother, Mary, said that there "are recipients that are far more fitting" than the fiery-haired prince who wrote a bestselling book that attacked members of his family.

Despite the backlash, Harry used the ESPY Awards platform to shift focus away from himself and toward the participants of the Invictus Games.

"I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality," the Duke of Sussex said as he accepted his honor. "This award belongs to them, not to me."

Numerous royal analysts spoke out along with Tillman's mother when it was announced the sandal-ridden Duke was to receive the honor.

"Harry and Meghan's narcissism does not go down very well in the United States and most American people really love the royal family," Nile Gardiner told an outlet. "And they do not look kindly upon Harry and Meghan basically trashing the royal family in the United States and does not go down very well."

"They're very divisive figures, and this award is very, very controversial," the Heritage Foundation Director shared. "There's a huge backlash in the United States, and it's an illustration of just how unpopular Harry and Meghan are on both sides of the Atlantic."

Of the honor, Tillman's mom said: "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award."

"There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans," she continued. "These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized."

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GBN reported on Williams' joke.