One of Meghan Markle‘s infamous moments has resurfaced amid her longtime pal’s return to the field!
Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, the former actress formed a strong bond with Serena Williams. They have frequently supported each other over the years, but recently sparked rift rumors.
However, a resurfaced video capturing Meghan Markle’s behavior during a 2019 run-in with Serena Williams’ mother seemingly hints at trouble in their relationship years earlier.
The drama occurred in 2019 when Williams was competing in a singles final match against Bianca Andreescu at the US Open. A video focused on the VIP stands showed the athlete’s mother, Oracene Price, seated next to Meghan, who attempted and failed to strike up a conversation with the older woman.
Body language expert Judi James weighed in on their interaction, theorizing that their behavior showed signs of pre-existing “tension” between Williams’ mother and the Duchess of Sussex. James called Meghan out for acting for the cameras, telling The Daily Mail:
“There’s a suggestion that the cameras have triggered her professional actress traits as she mimes tension, support, and even affection via some rather theatrical-looking movements.”
The Duchess Of Sussex’s Priorities Differed From Serena Williams’ Mother
James noted that Meghan probably opted for more performative movements instead of copying Price’s silent but focused demeanor during the match to avoid appearing cold on camera. However, the body language expert claimed her choice was the wrong move.
“The silent stare and hushed stillness of Serena’s mother would be a more authentic response to tension,” James explained, stating that Price prioritized staying focused on the match. The expert described her behavior as being “in the zone” and “oblivious to any external noise.”
On the other hand, Meghan allegedly prioritized leaving an impression for the cameras. James recalled that she had just welcomed her son, Prince Archie, months before the match and evidently wanted “the world to know that she is there to support her friend.”
The Video Resurfaced Amid Rift Speculations
The resurfaced video follows speculations of a rift between Meghan and Williams. The allegations began after the tennis icon dropped a botched promotion for the Duchess’s As Ever brand, which some fans saw as shady.
In the post, Williams filmed herself opening a box of Meghan’s chocolates, with many of the pieces out of their assigned slots. She confessed in the video that she wasn’t a fan of chocolate, but she enjoyed the Duchess’s treats.
The athlete also tried to promote the entrepreneur’s candles, but couldn’t pronounce some of the ingredients and gave up halfway. Fans slammed the post as a “very poorly done promotion,” with some wondering if Williams was subtly shading Meghan.
Serena Williams Scores Wild Card To Play Singles At Wimbledon
The attention on Williams and Meghan’s relationship may be linked to the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year honoree’s return to tennis. Many are eager to see if the Duchess will return to the stands to cheer for the athlete.
After spending six months in the anti-doping testing pool, Williams became eligible to enter events in February. She recently earned a wild card to play singles at Wimbledon, an event she hasn’t won since 2019, per CBS Sports.
The tennis icon last played singles at a WTA Tour event in September 2022 during the third round of the 2022 US Open. When asked if she would consider a singles return at Wimbledon earlier this month, Williams implied that it was out of the question, saying:
“You think I’m ready for singles? I need to get to work.”
Meghan Markle May Not Be Welcomed In The UK
Besides the speculations of tensions in her friendship with Williams, the As Ever founder has been making headlines for her scheduled return to the UK. The Blast reported that she, her husband Prince Harry, and their two children were expected to visit in July.
The rare family trip would mark their first visit to the UK since 2022, when the couple stepped down from their royal duties and relocated to the US. Royal commentator Phil Dampier theorized the trip wouldn’t be as easygoing as the Sussexes might expect.
Dampier argued that many still blame Meghan for Harry’s estrangement from the Royal Family, warning that she might face hostile reactions from the public upon her arrival. He added that the Sussexes were likely to receive a warm welcome at the Invictus Games compared to being out in public.
