Tennis legend Serena Williams has poked fun at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, saying they might “take up too much oxygen” at an awards ceremony. The American athlete is a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex but couldn’t resist the light ribbing as the Prince picked up the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the Espy Awards.

The gong is dished out by sports channel ESPN to individuals in the sporting world who have made significant contributions to the lives of others. Harry was handed the honour in recognition of creating the Invictus Games.

It is named after former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004. Reports suggest Tillman’s mother Mary was unhappy with the decision to give the award to Harry.

Williams, who won 23 grand slam singles titles, hosted the glitzy ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. During her opening monologue, she joked: “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.”

During his acceptance speech, the Duke of Sussex appeared to give a nod to his own mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car crash 26 years ago. He said the bond between a mother and son “transcends even the greatest losses”.

Despite the reports that the award had angered mrs Tillman, Harry opened his speech by acknowledging the Tillman family and “especially” his mum. He added: “Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal, and one that I respect. 

The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.” The Pat Tillman Award for Service is awarded to individuals in the sporting world who have made significant contributions to the lives of others.

Harry founded the Invictus Games a decade ago to support injured and sick servicemen and women – both on active duty and veterans – who are navigating physical and invisible injuries. Harry went on: “The truth is, 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.

“This award belongs to them, not to me.” He added: “We live in an age marked by polarisation and division. Conflicts rage around the globe. Anger and resentment towards those who are different, seem to pervade societies everywhere.

Our community challenges that. Our community proves that unity is not just possible, but formidable. The beauty of the Invictus Games lies in how it brings people together, no matter one’s nationality, background, or personal struggles.

It is a collective, built from courage and mutual respect, where athletes discover time and time again, the common denominator of their humanity. Having survived the crucible of armed combat, and forged through the challenge to rebuild bodies and minds impacted by conflict, they form a family. They exemplify the very best in all of us.”

ESPN previously said Harry was being honoured for his “tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport” as the Invictus Games has “transcended borders and impacted lives across every continent” over the last 10 years. Harry served on two frontline tours in Afghanistan and spent 10 years in the British armed forces.

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