The worlds of sports, entertainment, medicine, food, and philanthropy converged in Washington, D.C. on Saturday as prominent figures such as Serena and Venus Williams, Anthony Fauci, José Andrés, and Ava Duvernay were celebrated with artworks inspired by their achievements at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
However, noticeably absent from the guest list were Meghan and Harry, who seem to have been overlooked once again.
This snub adds to a growing list of prestigious events that have chosen not to include the couple.
From the Academy Museum Gala to the CFDA Awards, the George and Amal Gala, and the Met Gala, it appears that no notable charitable or entertainment event wants their presence.
Unfortunately for Meghan and Harry, these are precisely the kind of occasions that would generate high-profile coverage and fashion accolades.
Prior to her marriage to Prince Harry, Meghan was relatively unknown and held no significant status.
As a Z-list actress from Hollywood, she lacked connections and did not capture much attention.
Royal fans have even questioned the authenticity of Meghan’s friendship with Serena Williams.
Reportedly, the two met at a Super Bowl party in 2010 and later crossed paths in February 2014 during a game of flag football at DirecTV’s Celebrity Beach Bowl.
Their first public photo together was taken at New York Fashion Week in 2016.
However, when Serena married Alexis Ohanian in November 2017, the so-called besties were notably absent from the guest list.
In contrast, when it was Meghan’s turn to tie the knot in 2018, Serena and Alexis were invited and attended the highly anticipated royal wedding.
In September 2019, Meghan flew to New York for a two-day trip to support Serena at the US Open Championship game.
However, her decision to leave her four-month-old baby at home sparked controversy and criticism from the media, who labeled her a bad mother.
Some sources even claimed that the trip was nothing more than a publicity stunt.
Others attributed superstition to Meghan’s attendance, suggesting that her presence might affect the outcome of Serena’s matches.
Ironically, Serena lost the game when Meghan came to watch her, but won the night before when Meghan was absent.
According to a source quoted in the New York Post, Serena had expressed concerns to her coach about Meghan attending the match, as tennis players are known for their superstitious beliefs.
It seemed that Meghan’s presence at Wimbledon did not bode well for Serena, who ultimately lost the match.
Serena’s coach, Patrick Mortiglou, continually emphasizes the importance of focus and winning her 24th Grand Slam title.
During a recent podcast, Meghan Markle discussed the negligent behavior of her medical staff, particularly one nurse who labeled her as insane.
Serena, who has faced various health issues over the years, including blood clots, became the subject of Meghan’s conversation.
Meghan revealed that Serena experienced complications after her cesarean section, feeling short of breath and losing sensation in her legs.
Shockingly, her nurse dismissed her concerns, attributing them to the effects of medication.
Eventually, Serena received the necessary medical attention, but not without significant delay.
Meghan emphasized the importance of being heard, particularly for women, especially women of color, who often face high stakes in such situations.
As Meghan and Harry continue to face exclusion from prominent events, it remains to be seen how this will impact their public image and future endeavors.