Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had a great night together at the 2024 ESPY Awards. In a public appearance on July 11, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the 32nd annual ceremony held by ESPN to honor sports excellence. The ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

The ESPYs were hosted by Serena Williams, who is a friend of Meghan and Prince Harry. During her opening monologue, the tennis great made a special mention of the couple, PEOPLE reported.

“It’s well, actually only pretty often that I get to be in a room with actual royalty, and tonight is no exception. Prince Harry and Meghan are here. Let’s give it up for them,” Serena said.

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 tennis legend continued.

At that moment, the video turned to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were sitting in the front row and laughing at the joke. While it was a celebratory moment for the royal couple, eagle-eyed netizens noticed something unusual during the said event.

An X user pointed out that Prince Harry did not touch Meghan’s hand over the course of the event, sparking speculations that their marriage is over. Prince Harry & Meghan Markle ARE FINISHED. Prince Harry made sure he never once touched Meghan’s hand as she kept it firmly planted on his knee.. Not even on his thigh This is purely a business relationship now,” the source wrote.

For HER … it always was a business relationship! She never loved him – only what he could give her!” a second netizen chimed in. “Or an “ego” relationship. I don’t think either of them want to admit they made a mistake, esp Harry after being warned about jumping into marriage so quickly by friends and family,” another responded.

“Wow. He looks recoiled from her. She touches him the whole time. It’s just creepy now. Does she do it to remind him he can never leave her? She controls him?” a fourth user stated.

Truly, since they walked away from the RF, everything they’ve done has been a flop and failure. They SHOULD HAVE done what they said- settled someplace normal. Normal size large home, drop the airs and pretentiousness, they should have been seen doing normal things with their kids, join a couple of local charities and really work to make their community better. 

It would have made them look good. It would have felt organic and genuine. Absolutely everything these two do is forced and bought. As well as pretentious and self serving. They deserve the heckles. I’m sure they each went on to their separate abodes where TW probably had a hissy fit and he smoked a funny cigarette and put on some war game to forget his feelings of worthlessness, shame and humiliation,” another netizen claimed.

However, one X user pointed out that this is not the first time Prince Harry forgot to hold the hands of his wife during a public event. “He’s done it before, when he spoke at the UN some years ago. He does it when he’s nervous. While I don’t think it is marital bliss, they are still in a codependent relationship and won’t be parting any time soon,” it said.

Divorce rumors from several commentators have marred Meghan and Prince Harry over the years. However, sources close to the royal couple told OK! Magazine that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have vowed to stay together and resolve whatever marital issues they are facing to protect Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet from the trauma they went through when they were still kids.

During the younger years of both Princess Harry and Meghan, their parents, King Charles and the late Princess Diana, and Thomas Markle Sr. and Doria, respectively, divorced, which resulted in estrangement.

Both he and Meghan have been haunted by divorces while growing up and it made them both so determined to have a successful marriage. Meghan and Harry hated having separate parents as it wasn’t on good terms and they both felt pulled in different directions. Obviously Meghan has been divorced before but she sees her marriage to Harry as her first proper marriage and they know what it takes to make a successful marriage,” the anonymous insider said.

“They would never want to put Archie and Lili through any of that and they want them to have as idyllic and innocent childhood as possible. They also know that they will go through rough times and may want to walk away but they have vowed that divorce is not an option, especially when they have such young children and they are responsible for shaping their lives,” the informant furthered.

Meanwhile, most, if not all, are aware it was during the event that Prince Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service. This award was presented to him in recognition of his work with service men and veterans through the Invictus Games, which is currently enjoying its tenth year as an adaptive sports competition.

On the other hand, the announcement of the laureate for this year was not exactly welcomed with praise from everyone. “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, told the Daily Mail.

“There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans. 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,” Mary continued.

ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world. 

While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work, and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” ESPN said in a statement in response.

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