Serena Williams Shuts Down All Questions About Meghan Markle in 2 Seconds Flat

Everyone is vying for information about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry these days. While the pair have lived under intense media scrutiny ever since their May 2018 wedding, interest in the royal couple has only intensified in recent weeks. The decision to step back from royal life and move across the pond is somewhat unprecedented, after all. Media outlets are vying for information so hard, that they are happy to pose questions about the couple to anyone with even a tangential relationship to either Markle or the prince. Serena Williams, who befriended Markle in 2010, is having none of it, though. She happily shut down royal questions in two seconds flat following her first-round tournament win at the Australian Open.

How did Serena Williams shut down questions about Harry and Meghan?

Williams might be best friends with Markle, but that doesn’t mean she’s interested in talking to the press about the inner workings of the duchess’ life. In fact, Williams has mostly shied away from discussing anything royal ever since the former Suits actress joined the royal family, and it doesn’t look like she’ll be changing her stance now. When asked about Markle’s decision to ditch the royal family, Williams quickly shut down a reporter.

According to Entertainment Tonight, Williams told a reporter that she had absolutely no comment about the couple’s decisions. The simple response would have been enough, but Williams took it a step further. She told the reporter it was a good try before she happily moved onto questions more in line with tennis. No other reporter dared to bring up the royal couple again.

Williams’ comments come on the heels of her Auckland Open win on Jan. 11. The tennis superstar is now competing at the Australian Open, where she notched a first-round win. She’ll be competing next on Jan. 21.

How did Meghan Markle and Serena Williams meet?

Markle and Williams became fast friends in 2010 after linking up at a Super Bowl party, according to The Sun. According to an old blog article written by Markle, the pair were immediately drawn to each other and have maintained a strong friendship ever since, even though they’ve rarely lived in the same place.

Williams splits her time between the two coasts, according to Haute Residence. She maintains a home in South Florida and also has a home in Beverly Hills. Before meeting the prince, Markle’s home base was in Canada for much of the year. While shooting Suits, Markle rented a home in Toronto. She also spent a reasonable amount of time in the Los Angeles area, where she was raised. Now, with news of the decision to step back, the royal couple seems to be planning to set down roots in Canada, at least for part of the year.

Williams was on hand for Markle’s marriage to Prince Harry, and Markle showed up to support Williams at the U.S. Open in September 2019, quietly slipping into a seat at the packed New York stadium. Before Markle’s appearance at the Open, Williams was rumored to have footed the bill for the $83,000 baby shower thrown ahead of baby Archie’s royal arrival. The baby shower, a largely Ameican tradition, was held in New York in February 2019.

Meghan’s close friends are keeping quiet, but her family isn’t

The duchess’ closest friends are staying quiet about the couple’s decision to step down from royal duties, but her family hasn’t missed the chance to speak up. Markle’s father, Thomas Markle, sat down with Channel 5 to discuss everything happening in the life of his daughter and son-in-law. In the interview, he accused the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of cheapening the royal family and ruining their public image.

The elder Markle went on to accuse the pair of being ungrateful. While the British press appears to share his sentiments, the royal family at least publicly does not. The couple reportedly reached an agreement with the queen regarding their decision to step back, and all things considered, it apparently went well. A public statement suggested that the couple, as well as baby Archie, will always be beloved members of the family.