Two weeks ago, I was tempering my expectations for Serena Williams at Wimbledon. She just seemed to be dealing with some ankle/knee issues and her matches were tough to watch throughout the year. But here we are – she’s in the Wimbledon final in singles, and she’s been an utter joy to watch the whole tournament, even the sketchy first rounds. She got treatment on her knee in Paris and it made all the difference. Also making a difference? Playing three rounds of Mixed Doubles with Andy Murray. Serena was full-on GOAT-ing in those matches and it was amazing to watch.
After Serena won her semifinal yesterday (in about an hour), she gave her press conference and she just seemed to be in a really good mood. Around the 7:30-mark, she was asked about her friend, the Duchess of Sussex, and whether Serena had heard about all of the bullsh-t “controversy” around Meghan’s appearance last week to watch Serena in her second round:
Serena responded to the Meghan question with this: “You know, I didn’t know there was negative media out there. Any time I see her name attached to anything, I don’t read it. She couldn’t be a better friend to me. Low moments, high moments, she’s always there. That’s all I want to be to her.” I have believed for some time now that Serena was one of the friends authorized to speak on Meghan’s behalf to People Magazine earlier this year. Serena is never going to be here for the smearing of Duchess Meg. And honestly, I love it. Serena and Meghan have caused so many pearl-clutching white-people meltdowns, and I love that they’re completely allied.
So, will Meghan come to this year’s Wimbledon Women’s Final? Yes. The Sun reported that Meghan and Kate will attend together, which is what they did last year, and then Kensington Palace confirmed the same. The Sun also says that William and Kate will attend the Gentlemen’s Final on Sunday. My guess is that Kate and the entire Middleton clan makes it to today’s Nadal-Federer semifinal too. As for Meghan, there was some hope that maybe she would wear jeans and sit in Serena’s box. Probably not, especially if she’s attending with Kate. Meghan and Kate will likely be dressed up and seated in the Royal Box. But Beyonce might be in Serena’s box.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and The Duchess of Sussex will attend the Ladies' Singles Final at The Championships, Wimbledon on Saturday 13th July. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/8N8qa36nM6
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 12, 2019
Photos courtesy of Backgrid and Avalon Red.
I don’t see why they wouldn’t be seated in the royal box if they’re going together.
I am so glad Serena is in the finals again. I really really hope she wins. And I love her response about Meghan.
Of course Meghan is going to sit in the royal box; can you imagine if she and Kate attended the same match and did NOT sit together?
There would be a million optics comments and feud comments.
Kate should invite Beyonce to sit with them in the Royal Box.
OMG, that would be great. Also, I just want to watch Beyonce’s expressions, I love her, but that woman knows she is not interested in sports. Her reactions are always hilariously delayed. It’s so fun to watch
Plus Serena has the right attitude. If you are said person of gossip or friend it really does behoove you not to read it, and I hope Meghan does the same. They all hire people to manage it, let them do it. If you read this site it seems like all the press for Meghan is negative, but I still feel it’s more good press than bad press. I get a lot of good stories on my feed, but that’s what I gravitate toward. It’s hard to tell how much negative stories are out there not living in the UK. I do know the bad press is really Trumpian mean though and like him seems to take all the oxygen out of room. Hopefully like him it will go away too.
Don’t even mention it. The hell is gonna break loose in the british press. If nastiness of all sorts came from one miserable picture of Kate and Meghan watching the polo match together with their kids, imagine if they sit far from each other.
I hope simona halep wins. I like her a lot more.
You got your wish. It’s nice for Romania. And I just want new faces. It can get zzzzz when the same people win over the years, even when they’re cool af like Serena. See the men’s side too, in general, the last effin decade–or so it seems.
Cool and I think the Princes will attend the Cricket final on Sunday where it’s England vs New Zealand.
I would not think she and Kate would sit anywhere other than the Royal box. And why one earth would the reporter ask about Meghan. They are there to cover the match and how she played. But of course they want to grab on to any morsel they can to make a stink.
They are obsessed with Meghan. They find a way to drop her name into any article or interview. The morning shows are the worst. I’m even starting to see clips from Australian news shows where they are constantly talking about Meghan and the tabloid rumors.
It clearly shows because I thought, why would you bring up Meghan? This interview was clearly for the match and the athlete’s opinion on it. 🙄
And also, what is Serena actually going to say? “she didn’t do anything wrong, you all are crazy?” or “yeah she’s really a pushy diva sometimes, we’re trying to work on that.” Her answer was perfect, and I thought she actually seemed a little emotional saying it.
@Becks, I’m sorry but that comment you made is hilarious. Can you imagine if she said: yeah, this Duchess thing has really gone to her head. We are trying to work on it but I’m so busy with my life and career. And all of us are so baffled, who does she think she is the QoE???? 🤣
I agree. – Meghan’s fame level is stratospheric. They’re asking the GOAT questions about her and it’s ridiculous.
GOATs, Presidents, A-list superstars, desperate B & C listers, Politicians…..all getting (happily) grilled at their interviews about Meghan.
Stratospheric indeed. 😉
@Bella this response was everything lol !!!
Wow, I just noticed how much makeup meg was wearing last year haha still looks good, but I think less is more. Looking forward to see what the Duchesses wear.
Well when you do your makeup keep that in mind then. And Meghan can do hers how she sees fit.
@Valiantly Varnished
Of course Meghan can do hers how she wants, the commenter was just giving her opinion like we all do here, no need to jump down her throat.
@Linda And I have very right to call out backhanded compliments. Now have a thousand seats.
She has on no more slap than Kate. Interesting that you had no comment about Kate’s makeup job.
Never criticize Meghan, even to comment on wearing a little too much blush last year. Or if you do, it’s required to lambast Kate for something.
@Lady T backhander compliments designed to troll deserve to be called out. As does obvious hypocrisy.
geez these people must be fun at parties… honestly don’t think op was giving a backhanded compliment… and weren’t there a lot of ppl commenting about meg’s blush last year??
oh god I hope I don’t sound like I’m hating. oh god no. please spare me I meant it with no malicious intent. please.
What’s hypocritical is analyzing every detail of others day after day after day on this site but how DARE anyone have a negative thought about Meghan, which is more often than not chalked up to racism rather than a simple, benign opinion. If UK coverage is filled with racist pigs, fire away in their direction. Detestable. But I think that’s rarely the root of the issue here. Her overly zealous supporters rub me the wrong way.
Her look has evolved interestingly throughout the year! I love that she is staying true to her aesthetic! It cracked me up to see that everyone else was either super pink and ruffly or dead country casual in jeans, tees and vests and then there is gorgeous chic Meghan looking like an LA yoga Earth goddess in aviators – which I like on her, sorry Kaiser! 😀
You just know how this is going to be spun in the press – “Diva Meg has to be taken in hand by Perfect Kate -BY ORDER OF THE QUEEN – and shown how to behave at Wimbledon, after Wimbledon staff said she was a ‘NIGHTMARE’l etc etc etc
Already happening on twitter, on KP’s very own twitter account. It’s gross.
As an aside – I love that first picture of Serena. She’s just like, “what, is this supposed to be hard?”
You already know what’s about to happen. At this point I am done with the entire British press and the Royal Family. I am disheartened at seeing the years long smear campaign against Meghan. It’s like watching a bunch of wolves attacking a defenseless animal.
Poor Meghan….i really admire her. At this point I am sure that the photographers with their long range lenses will be generating comments about Meghan’s deep breaths… why is she breathing like that? Why did Harry have to marry soneone who doesn’t know how to breathe properly. This is such a bad reflection on Britain and the royal family. The commonwealth is watching.
OMG! Are you serious? This is so…so…disgusting! Why do people need to insert something where there is NOTHING?
Why can’t they just be going together…as they did last year…and enjoy the match together? I’ve never believed the hype that they had any sort of rift, anyway.
And I also don’t believe that “Jeans-gate” was even a thing for the Queen. Do you really think that, with all the staff around the Sussexes, NOBODY would mention what should or shouldn’t be worn?
The Queen is on-board with modernizing (and ensuring the future of) the Royal Family.
So we have Meghan at Wimbledon Saturday and at The Lion King premiere Sunday. It’s like Christmas!
Yeah wow, I wonder why they’re all making so many public appearances… if only we could figure it out, hmmm.
I’ll take whatever we can get. I know she deserves a maternity leave and needs to take it, but….I’m having Meghan withdrawals!
I think it’s just fun, and who can blame them. If I had the opportunity to see my friend play in the finals of Wimbledon and the premier of the Lion King with Beyonce there I’d be there too. Maternity leave be dammed. I just think its how these events landed on these days. Nothing sinister just good luck for all of us.
I like seeing what they wear. I’m really excited about the Lion King outfit. I didn’t like her casual linen dress at the polo match, but she did look comfortable. With all the jeans issue from her last Wimbledon time, I am curious what she will wear in the Royal box. Kate’s usually a hit or miss too, although lately I have been liking her clothes more too.
Totally superficial note but I’m still trying to find a good shirt that’s similar to the one MM wore that day. The ones I’ve seen so far are nice but way too oversized and, like her, I have a small frame, which makes me look like I’m swimming on them.
I have one in a narrower stripe from Brooks Brothers. Not sure if they have anything like it currently.
It was a really good look. Not expertly tailored, but still one of my favorite looks from her.
It’s pricey, but here it is: https://www.ralphlauren.com/women-clothing-shirts-blouses/striped-cotton-shirt/382608.html?cgid=women-clothing-shirts-blouses&dwvar382608_colorname=White%2FClassic%20Blue&webcat=Women%2FClothing%2FShirts%20%20%20Blouses#sz=30&start=61&cgid=women-clothing-shirts-blouses
I really love Serena and I pray she wins.
As for Meghan I pray people leave her alone.
Looking forward to the pictures.
How did Meghan come to be friends with Serena ? Was it through her acting work connections or her charity work? Or maybe mutual friends? Just curious…
I think they met in Miami before or at Superbowl 2010 a charity event, played tag football????
They were on a reality competition type show – DirectTV’s Celebrity Beach Bowl
I still think the rift is between the brothers and not the wives, so this is much ado about nothing. However, the press don’t see it that way and I’m sure they’ll find a way to spin this like they do everything else. *eyeroll*
And the spin et al is stupid, because they attended this exact same event together last year.
Agree, I think the two women get along fine.
Me too. I believe they get along just fine. Brothers however genuinely seem to be having a rough patch.
Want Serena to win.
Other than that I cont care.
@Lucylee – for real. I need Serena to win, so she can rest easy. Although knowing her, she’ll go for no 25!
I was hoping they would do something like this since it looked so good last year. I just hope they, meaning Meghan and her people, analyze every single thing to think about what the trolls might gripe about.
And I just hope ‘they’ don’t “analyze every single thing to think about what the trolls might gripe about”. I hope she and her team don’t give it a moment’s thought, that she just goes about being herself, being in love with her prince, and loving and fiercely protecting her son. I hope she gives not one whit.
Or she can think things through and make like easier for herself. If both duchesses play this right, this can be a huge win for both, because like it or not, this is a game with the press.
Nothing they (meghan or her people) do would stop the trolls/media from criticizing her. As far as the press I like what Meghan is doing now, offering them crumbs on her own terms.
The only way she can make life easier for herself is if she stops being Black. Or dies.
I really don’t understand why the narrative is that Meghan has to change to appease the people who attack her, as if SHE’S doing something wrong. She’s not. No matter what she does, she’s going to be attacked. In fact, any obvious attempts to appease the mob will be like putting blood in the water at a shark pool.
Just do you, Meghan and let the losers keep losing.
Good luck Serena.
Can’t wait. I hope she’s on fire.
I know it’s frustrating for a lot of US Royal watchers / Meg fans but Meg sadly will just have to be strong and ride this standoff with the RR’s and trash tabloid journalists out.
They want access but rightly so Meg and Harry are not having any of it, especially given what happened to Diana literally weeks after she gave Piers access. Till this day I am convinced that they were intercepting her communications and that is how they always knew where she was.
This was in the early days of mass consumer mobile phones so security concerns would have been non existent and hacking very easy.
They just need to stand firm and let this wash over them. Like the Markle’s, the tabloids and RR’s will learn that they will never gain access, no matter how much they vilify Meghan. In fact at some point I think they risk tipping the balance against themselves and the public will start turning against them after they have seen one hit piece too many,…
This should be a fun weekend for fashion and fun!
At this point, I bet Meghan doesn’t GAF. Like really, at some point she has to know that she’s damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t — she literally cannot win in any situation, so she should just do her.
I wonder if Doria sees all this negativity and gets sad by it.
Doria has been a Black woman all her life. She was called ‘the maid’ by her own stepdaughter. I have no doubt that none of this is a surprise to her.
Doria is in her 60s, most likely dealt with racism her whole life.
What I think would bother Doria more is what Thomas is doing to their daughter, vindictiveness, lying and joining with others to crucify Meghan.
She knows thomas, that is why she left him when Meghan was two years old.
He can appear as a sad sack, in how many tabloids he chooses, Meghan’s money line is cut off to him.
I am a huge fan of Serena and have been itching for her to win another championship. I am incredibly hopeful that she wins. Her victory would be even sweeter with her dear friend, Meghan there to witness it.
It is time to circle the wagons. The harasser has made his demands and have clarified the narrative concerning the media’s role. Their immediate need is to make money and being privately-owned, have favourable relations with the ruling class. It differs from the monarchy. The attacks on the Duchess of Sussex is a case of wanting the Sussexes to “be” not “do”. The Royal family must respond to that horrible pile Morgan in a defiant and dignified manner.
Personally I will like to see Prince Harry kick that weak-chinned harasser in the arse. But that is an unacceptable response so the family will show a united front.
There is no other way- adapt or die.
I hope the Duchess of Sussex wears denim from head to toe. A full, acid-washed, ripped and torn Canadian tuxedo. It would be worth it to see Piers Morgan have a fit on-air.
Lol – that would be the greatest thing ever. The RR would lose what is left of their marbles
Part of me doesn’t want Meghan to go with Kate because the inevitable hateful comparisons will begin. I am dreading the fabrications already.