Meghan Markle and Serena Williams are understood to have a long-standing friendship after having first been introduced to other at an event more than a decade ago.

Over the years, former actor Meghan, 43, and retired tennis champion Serena, 42, have spoken about their relationship. 

The pals have been known to support one another, in both their professional and personal lives, on various occasions.

Serena was even the first guest on Meghan’s Archetypes podcast in 2022. 

Whilst the Duchess of Sussex was spotted supporting her pal from the crowd at Wimbledon at times prior to the athlete retiring from her sport that same year.

It’s understood that this year marks the tenth anniversary of the pair having begun a friendship, despite initially meeting prior. 

The Mirror has taken a look at their relationship, with fans having been given glimpses into it over the years.

Meghan and Serena are said to have first met whilst both at Super Bowl XLIV back in 2010. It’s however been suggested that the pair didn’t end up developing a friendship until they reconnected at a flag football match four years later.

The pair both took part in DirecTV’s Celebrity Beach Bowl event in 2014, as part of celebrations for that year’s Super Bowl. Reflecting on her podcast, Meghan recalled seeing Serena “walking toward someone” and was interested in who it would be, before turning around to discover it was her. She added in the episode: “We became such fast friends.”

And speaking about their friendship on her former lifestyle blog the Tig, Meghan said: “We hit it off immediately. Taking pictures, laughing through the flag football game we were both playing in, and chatting not about tennis or acting, but about all the good old fashioned girly stuff.”

She’s also quoted as having said: “We are both the same age, have a penchant for hot sauces and adore fashion, but what connects us more than those things is perhaps our belief in exceeding expectations – our endless ambition.”

Since then, the two pals have supported each other in their careers. It includes Meghan having reportedly been in the audience for Serena’s New York Fashion Week show in 2016, which promoted her eponymous fashion line.

Meghan has also been spotted supporting in the crowd at Wimbledon on occasion. Serena commented in a press conference in 2019: “[She’s] such a great friend and a great person as well.” She added: “And always positive, no matter what. It’s so good to have people like that, just to know.”

Similarly, Serena has supported Meghan over the years too, including having shared her pride when her pal’s community cookbook Together was released in 2018. She tweeted: “I could not be more excited about it and proud of you.”

Serena notably supported her friend following her and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, which divided opinion. She reacted: “My selfless friend lives her life – and leads by example – with empathy and compassion. She teaches me everyday what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she’s experienced.”

Giving an insight into their friendship, Serena once revealed to Vanity Fair in 2017 that she had provided advice to Meghan about dealing with fame. Serena shared: “I told her, ‘You’ve got to be who you are, Meghan. You can’t hide.’”

The pair are said to have enjoyed lunches together and other reunions over the years, and Meghan once suggested that they had done karaoke. Speaking about Serena, who was pregnant at the time, she told Vogue: “Given that she is pretty epic at karaoke, I think she’ll put her signature Serena spin on singing lullabies for the baby. I can’t wait for that!”

Just last month, Serena reunited with Meghan and her husband Prince Harry at the ESPY Awards, and she took the opportunity to poke fun at the couple. She made what has been referred to as a “savage joke” whilst on stage, with Meghan and Prince Harry appearing to laugh in response.

Whilst hosting, she teased: “Prince Harry and Meghan are here – let’s give it up for them! But please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight because this is my night and I don’t wanna be overshadowed by the accusations that you guys are taking up too much oxygen.”

 Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.

Source: USA Today