Meghan Markle stole the spotlight at the recent ESPY Awards alongside her dashing husband, but it wasn’t just her glamorous outfit that got eagle-eyed netizens talking.
Meghan Markle captivated the audience at ESPN’s 32nd annual ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by tennis superstar Serena Williams. However, netizens who saw her photos speculated that there might be more behind her stunning appearance.
Accompanied by her husband, Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex wore a white halter dress and minimal jewelry. She completed her stunning look with a stylishly sleek hair bun.
While Meghan’s appearance was undeniably glamorous, her noticeably slender frame quickly became a hot topic online, igniting a wave of speculation and concern among netizens.
Some netizens expressed concern over her appearance, pointing out the noticeable change in her physique. One user commented, “I love them… But why do Meghan’s arms look so skinny?”
Amidst the concern, a few speculated that Meghan might have turned to weight loss management drugs. “She has Ozempic face,” another stated bluntly. “Wow Ozempic worked for Meghan,” one user quipped, referring to the diabetes medication known for its weight loss side effects.
A contrasting view emerged with one remarking, “These two are aging rapidly,” reflecting on both Meghan and Harry’s looks. Despite the scrutiny, Meghan had her fair share of defenders.
Some netizens quickly praised her appearance, pushing back against the negative comments. “Here we go, Why are people ready to bash her. Megan is a thin woman who looks fantastic. Stop with the nonsense [sic],” one defender wrote. “Stunning!!!!!” another simply declared, while a third added, “The beautiful Meghan.”
Supporters also highlighted the couple’s overall presence, with one admirer noting, “Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan look radiant as always, beautiful couple.”
Amid the online chatter, Meghan has always been confident in her skin. In a 2013 interview, she emphasized a holistic approach to being “in shape,” which includes physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Meghan explained, “I think being in shape just means feeling confident, being as healthy as you can, and I guess just owning whatever it is that you have.”
Elaborating further, she highlighted the importance of being happy with your size, being kind to yourself, accepting fluctuations, and loving yourself no matter where you are. “That’s part of being in shape to it like—to really just say, it’s okay if I’m up a little bit this day or down whatever it is to just own where you are and then love yourself,” said Meghan.
While Meghan’s slender looks sparked debate, Harry also faced scrutiny at the 32nd annual ESPY Awards. He received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, an honor created in memory of the late NFL player Pat Tillman, who left his sports career to enlist in the military after 9/11 and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.
"No matter the road ahead, we are here for you. We will leave no one behind.”
-Prince Harry after accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8VBXBggYP4
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2024
The decision to honor Harry drew mixed reactions. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, voiced her disappointment, stating, “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.”
“There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized,” Mary further emphasized.
In response to the criticism, ESPN defended their choice by highlighting Harry’s significant contributions through The Invictus Games Foundation, which promotes healing through sports for military service members and veterans.
Prince Harry is the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
The Duke of Sussex founded The Invictus Games, an international platform that supports wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women who are navigating both physical and invisible injuries. pic.twitter.com/M3F3Rmft4j
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2024
“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world,” ESPN said in a statement.
The statement also acknowledged that not everyone would agree with all award recipients but emphasized the valuable work of the Invictus Games Foundation, which ESPN views as deserving of celebration.
Harry’s dedication to supporting the veteran community through sports has earned him this recognition. He served in the British military for a decade and his service included two tours in Afghanistan: one as an Apache helicopter pilot and the other as a forward air controller.
After a decade-long career, Harry continued his service by founding The Invictus Games Foundation in 2014. This organization aims to help the injured, wounded, and sick servicemen and women, both active-duty and veterans. It helps them navigate physical and invisible injuries.
Since its inception, the Invictus Games have transcended borders, impacting lives across every continent. Currently, the Games unite athletes from 23 nations, offering ongoing support and year-round programming.
This global initiative serves as a beacon of resilience and healing through the transformative power of sports. “This one is for our entire service community,” Harry remarked upon learning about the upcoming ESPY honor.
Harry co-founded the foundation with Sir Keith Mills, an entrepreneur who organized the 2012 London Olympics. During a panel discussion with Keith at London’s Honourable Artillery Company, Harry reflected on the early days of planning for the 2014 Games.
He admitted uncertainty about its potential success. The idea for The Invictus Games took root during Harry’s 2012 trip to the United States, where he attended the Department of Defense’s Warrior Games.
“Sport was the magic that I witnessed,” Harry recalled. Having returned from Afghanistan, he saw the profound impact on wounded, injured, and sick service members and their families.
Recognizing the need for more support, Harry decided to expand on the Warrior Games model. Teaming up with Keith, the duo set out with a simple idea and a cup of tea. “We had this idea and not much else, frankly,” Keith said.
In the early months, they faced challenges: no name, funding, or staff. Yet, driven by their vision, this evolved into the Invictus Games—a source of hope and recovery for veterans worldwide.
Since receiving the Pat Tillman Award, Prince Harry is now one of the esteemed group of past recipients. This distinguished list includes Jake Wood, who received the award in 2018, and Kirstie Ennis, who was honored in 2019.
As the legacy grew, Canadian boxer Kim Clavel joined in 2020, followed by English footballer Marcus Rashford in 2021, Retired US Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans in 2022, and the Buffalo Bills Training Staff in 2023.
