Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards wears an Oscar de la Renta dress identical to her wedding dress. Harry is uncomfortable and gets emotional.
Harry and Meghan Markle were literally the stars of the 2024 ESPY Awards gala in Los Angeles. The Duchess of Sussex enchanted everyone in a long, white, form-fitting Oscar de la Renta gown, dangerously reminiscent of the one Stella McCartney created for her wedding reception. The Prince, on the other hand, was moved to tears, but in all the photos he appeared rather embarrassed, especially when his sweetheart placed her hand on his leg.
"Harry and Meghan are real Royals," Serena Williams quips
The 2024 ESPY Awards were certainly a night for Harry and Meghan Markle, who returned to the spotlight as guests of honor at the 32nd annual awards ceremony, celebrating the evening's achievements. This was also thanks to presenter Serena Williams, a close friend of Meg, who began: "Well, actually, it's quite common for me to be in a room with real Royals, and tonight is no exception. Prince Harry and Meghan are here. Let's give them a round of applause."
A presentation that seemed like a dig at King Charles and William, as she called Harry and Meghan "real Royals," despite having relinquished their roles within the British monarchy.
Williams doubles down and continues: "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 accusations that you guys are breathing too much oxygen, okay?" Another jab at the constant criticism of the Sussexes, accused—not always unfairly—of attention-seeking. But the reference could also be to the controversy sparked by Harry's award.
Meghan Markle, inappropriate hand at the 2024 ESPY Awards
After Serena Williams' opening speech, the camera pans to Harry and Meghan, who, sitting in the front row, are smiling, amused by their friend's jokes. Lady Markle appears perfectly at ease and, to silence all the insinuations of a marital crisis, places her hand on Harry's leg. Harry appears a little intimidated, not to say embarrassed, by his wife's gesture. And so if Meg wanted to prove that everything is going swimmingly between her and her husband, she instead confirmed the rumors that Harry is dominated and terrified of her.
Harry, between tears and embarrassment
Even when posing for official photos with Markle and Serena Williams, Harry seemed rather uncomfortable. Grandmother Elizabeth taught him that you should never get too close or touch others, especially during formal shots. Yet here he finds himself holding his wife's hand and putting his arm around the former tennis champion, and he just doesn't seem to know what to do.
But Harry's awkward moments didn't end there. In fact, during the evening he was awarded the Pat Tillman Award, the prize established in honor of the NFL player who left the league and enlisted in the Army after 9/11. He died in Afghanistan in 2004, when he was just 27. The award given to the Prince for his commitment to the Invictus Games was contested by Tillman's mother. When Harry took the stage to accept it, he was almost moved to tears.
Meghan Markle's Oscar de la Renta dress is identical to her wedding look
Despite everything that happened during the evening, Meghan was most admired for her stunning outfit. The Duchess wore a long white gown that hugged her figure. The dress was created by Oscar de la Renta, a brand Markle often wears, but it bears a striking resemblance to the dress she wore to her wedding reception, which was designed by Stella McCartney.
This resemblance is no coincidence. In fact, the Duchess of Sussex wore the same hairstyle as before—a high, messy bun with a middle parting—and wanted her makeup done by the same artist who did her wedding makeup, Daniel Martin, a longtime friend of hers. He stated on his Instagram profile that he had done Meghan's makeup for the evening.
Meg completed her look with sky-high black strappy sandals by Celine, a shoe that doesn't quite fit her feet, but she insists on wearing it.
For jewelry, which the Duchess loves to wear in abundance, she opted for the large Cassandra Ring, created by Rodi, consisting of three gold and diamond rings, along with an engagement ring, diamond earrings, and a Cartier bracelet.
