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I don't know how I missed this the first time, but yes Venus Williams absolutely snubbed Prince Harry. Upon re-watching the video from the ESPY Awards where Prince Harry received an award, I noticed something quite revealing about Venus's reaction, or lack thereof, that I wanted to discuss.
As many have reported, the video shows Venus simply sitting and not standing or applauding as everyone around her, including Megan Markle next to her, stood up to recognize Prince Harry receiving his award. It's quite striking to see everyone on their feet cheering except for Venus, who remains seated with little reaction. Only after a delay does she finally stand up, but even then it does not appear she joined in the applause. How does someone sitting next to the award recipient completely fail to stand or clap along with everyone else? That is about as obvious a snub as you can get.
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Some people say Venus got up after 14 seconds, but to me that is still too long of a delay when everyone around her is on their feet. Even once standing, it is hard to say if she offered any polite applause for Prince Harry. The video angle makes it difficult to see her hands, but her body language does not seem enthusiastic. Clearly this raised a lot of eyebrows and speculation about a cold reception from Venus towards Prince Harry.
Now, the obvious question is - why did Venus snub Prince Harry in such a public way? Some comments suggest Venus was making a statement by refusing to indulge two "frauds" in Prince Harry and Megan, whom they see as undeserving of the awards and accolades. Others say Venus wanted nothing to do with the "grifters" and their behavior. Certainly Venus sending such a visible message of dissent through her notable lack of reaction stands out.
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While we can only speculate about Venus's true motives, the timing is certainly interesting given the immense scrutiny on Prince Harry and Megan's every move lately. Many see them as constantly seeking out publicity and opportunities to monetize their celebrity, like with Megan's carefully planned red carpet outfit that subtly referenced her wedding dress. Some believe the real purpose of events like the ESPYS is just another chance for more favorable press coverage as they build Megan's brand and public profile.
If that's the case, then perhaps Venus was not interested in playing along with the hype. As the host, Serena's sister would know the dynamics better than most. It's quite possible Venus did not appreciate Prince Harry and Megan using the event platform in a transparently commercialized way when the ostensible purpose was to recognize charitable causes. Some have said the awards themselves have more to do with PR than merit nowadays.
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Notably, Venus was not the only one with a less than enthusiastic response that night. Reports say some audience members even booed Prince Harry and Megan when they abruptly left the event early without staying for the entertainment portion. Their appearances seem rather half-hearted at times, designed more for exposure than engagement. If that impression is growing, it would not be surprising for notable figures like Venus to distance themselves through subtle gestures like her very public snub of Prince Harry.
In the end, only Venus knows her true motives. But her failure to stand or clap, in sharp contrast to everyone around her, was undeniably conspicuous. It will be interesting to see if other public figures follow her lead in sending less welcoming messages if perceptions continue that Prince Harry and Megan are mostly concerned with monetizing their fame. Their actions will continue facing scrutiny and sparking speculation like Venus's uniquely brazen snub that night. It's a revelation I'm glad I caught upon further review.
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In conclusion, while we can only guess at Venus's reasoning, her noticeable refusal to acknowledge Prince Harry like others did was a clear public diss that demanded discussion. Whether a statement about the duo's perceived opportunism or other factors, Venus made her ambivalence transparently evident. And given the microscope on Prince Harry and Megan's every move, bold gestures like that are sure to foster ongoing examination of their initiatives and welcome. It was a snub impossible to miss, even if I did not pick up on it right away.
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