Serena Williams has sparked fresh speculation about her friendship with the Duchess of Sussex after attending the Met Gala alongside Emma Thynn, the Marchioness of Bath, and former Vogue editor Edward Enninful. The trio posed together multiple times at the prestigious fashion event, fueling doubts about the closeness between Williams and Meghan Markle.
Met Gala Appearances
The tennis star stunned in a silver metallic gown as she joined the Marchioness and Enninful on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Earlier, Williams shared an Instagram video of herself getting ready with Thynn, captioning it: 'It's MET Day!! My girl @emmathynn came to get ready with me!!' The clip showed them dancing in silk dressing gowns. Later, Thynn wore a sleeveless dress with floral and lace detailing, while Enninful, who recently launched a new magazine called EE72, opted for a smart suit.
Pre-Met Gala Celebrations
The trio's appearance followed a pre-Met Gala celebration hosted by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez on Saturday night. Thynn wore a shimmering pink mini dress with a coordinating fur coat, walking arm-in-arm with Williams, who donned a gray mini frock with ruched detailing. They were joined by Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian.
Friendship with Meghan Markle
Williams' public outings with Thynn and Enninful have intensified scrutiny of her relationship with Meghan. The Duchess of Sussex has not attended the Met Gala and was reportedly not invited this year, despite Williams' sister Venus serving as a co-chair. Speculation about a rift between Meghan and Enninful grew after he hinted he would not work with her again, stating in a September 2025 interview with The Times: 'I feel like I have done it' regarding featuring her on a magazine cover. He instead launched EE72 with other A-list friends like Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Comparisons Between Meghan and Emma Thynn
Fans have long accused Meghan of copying Thynn, who also hosts a lifestyle program and produces homemade jam from her Longleat estate. In the reality TV show Ladies Of London: The New Reign, designer Lottie Kane stated: 'She is the first black woman to be married into an aristocratic family, and I think Meghan Markle tries to claim that, but it was actually Emma.' Thynn herself, when asked about the comparisons, raised her eyebrow and said: 'No comment.'
Serena Williams' Promotion of As Ever
Questions about Meghan and Williams' friendship also arose after the tennis star's 'disastrous' promotion of Meghan's As Ever brand on Instagram. Williams received a PR parcel containing a Mother's Day edit, including candles and a box of chocolates. In her post, she showed the chocolates crushed and displaced, admitted she 'doesn't like chocolate,' and mispronounced candle scents. Fans criticized the low-effort promotion, with one writing: 'It actually makes you wonder – why would you make your friend's product look bad while trying to promote it?'
History of Their Friendship
Meghan and Serena first met in 2010 and again in 2014, hitting it off immediately. Serena attended Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry and her baby shower in New York. In 2021, Serena praised Meghan as 'the strongest person I know' after her Oprah interview. However, recent events have cast doubt on the strength of their bond.
