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Things could get “awkward” between Prince Harry and Travis Kelce at the 2024 ESPYs. The Duke of Sussex, 39, and Super Bowl winner, 34, may cross paths at the upcoming awards show just weeks after Kelce praised Prince William, who has been estranged from Harry for years. Whatever happens—or doesn’t happen—a source says it’s Harry for whom a potential encounter could be trickier. 

Harry’s being honored at the 2024 ESPYs, Travis is up for a team award

Kelce may once again find himself in the presence of British royalty (more on that later) at the ESPYs on July 11, 2024. Harry is being honored for his Invictus Games work with the Pat Tillman Award for Service. 

As for the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, he’s not up for an individual award. However, the defending Super Bowl champions are nominated for Best Team, which could see Kelce take the stage. His teammate, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, is also up for Best Male Athlete. 

The ceremony is in Los Angeles, California. Tennis legend Serena Williams, who is a close friend of Meghan Markle’s, is hosting. 

The ESPYs might be ‘awkward’ considering Kelce ‘hit it off’ with Prince William

A source speaking to The Sun said Harry’s likely to be “just feet away” from Kelce at the ESPYs. “It could be interesting, given how much Travis hit it off with William,” they told the outlet, referencing their meeting in London, England, just weeks earlier. 

William and Travis certainly did “hit it off” when they met on June 21, 2024, the future king’s birthday. William took he and Kate Middleton’s two older children, Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, 9, to Taylor Swift’s “Eras” concert at Wembley Stadium. 

The royals met Swift—and her boyfriend of one year—backstage. They also took selfies together, which quickly went viral on social media. 

Afterward, Kelce called William “the coolest” on an episode of “New Heights,” the podcast he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce, in which the two also had kind words to say about George and Charlotte. (The retired Philadelphia Eagles player also met the British royals.) 

This means that 20 days after meeting—and subsequently gushing—about William and the Wales kids, Kelce might just find himself at the ESPYs with Harry. 

“For Harry, it could be a potentially awkward encounter given that Travis spoke so warmly about and praised William,” the source said. 

Harry and Travis ‘will make headlines no matter what happens’ at the awards ceremony

The ESPYs present a tricky situation for Harry, especially. As the source explained, cameras will be on the two, and whatever happens—or doesn’t happen—will be watched closely. 

“This will make headlines no matter what happens,” they said. “If Harry ducks Travis, that would look weird. And if they chat, the question will be whether they discussed William.” 

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end will likely talk with Harry and Meghan if she joins Harry at the ceremony, according to the source. 

“Travis is, like, the most sociable, happy-go-lucky, kind person in any room, and is sure to want to say hello to the Prince [Harry] and interact with the Sussexes,” they said. “That is his style, and, honestly, he is one of the biggest names in U.S. sport.” 

ABC will broadcast the ESPYs live on July 11, 2024, at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT.

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