Serena Williams' Met Gala 2026 appearance has fueled speculations of a rift with Meghan Markle.
'Shift in Loyalties': Serena Williams Sparks Meghan Markle Feud Rumors Following Met Gala Move
Serena Williams’ appearance at the 2026 Met Gala without Meghan Markle has fueled speculation that the duo's friendship might have gone completely downhill.
Moreover, Williams was seen posing with former British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful and Marchioness of Bath Emma Thynn, both of whom have allegedly been subtly critical of Markle before.
With this Met Gala gesture, the tennis legend -- who once shared a close bond with the former royal -- might have just hinted that they are no longer friends.
Williams wore a silver ensemble to the event, which was held at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, May 4.
Insider Sheds Light on Serena Williams and Meghan Markle's Relationship
Serena Williams poses with Emma Thynn and Edward Enninful at Met Gala 2026.
The duchess of Sussex’s absence from Met Gala 2026 triggered discussions among the public, with some even claiming that she was not invited to the event.
According to some reports, Williams had previously sparked rumors that her friendship with Markle deteriorated after the latter allegedly took a lousy approach while promoting her brand, As Ever, on her social media handle.
The package contained a note, chocolates and scented candles.
Some social media users alleged that Williams was not showing much enthusiasm in unboxing the products. Many found this strange, considering the strong bond between the two women.
An insider spoke to RadarOnline regarding what Williams’ Met Gala appearance and her interactions with Thynn and Enninful.
“At a night like the Met Gala, nothing about who you stand beside is accidental – it is one of the most carefully observed stages in the celebrity world,” the source said.
'People Are Going to Read Into It'
Serena Williams' Met Gala appearance with Emma Thynn and Edward Enninful sparks speculations of a strained relationship between the tennis legend and Meghan Markle.
The source added, “Serena choosing to spend so much time in close formation with Emma and Edward, both of whom have been linked to a cooling in their relationships with Meghan, inevitably reads as more than coincidence.”
The insider further revealed that Williams posing with Thynn and Enninful could indicate a major shift in loyalties, stating, “Whether she intended it that way or not, the visual narrative suggests a shift in loyalties, or at the very least a rebalancing of where those personal alliances now sit."
“You have to remember how intertwined Serena and Meghan's public images once were -- they were regularly framed as confidantes, almost a united front navigating fame and scrutiny together. So when Serena appears in such a high-profile setting, and that connection is absent, replaced instead by other prominent friendships, people are going to read into it,” the source added.
The insider pointed out that Met Gala often gives a glimpse into changing dynamics within the celebrity elites, claiming, “The Met Gala operates as a social barometer -- it is where relationships are quietly endorsed, recalibrated, or, in some cases, allowed to fade without a word being spoken."
Netizens also reacted to Williams’ much-talked about Met Gala appearance.
One X user said, “I expect that, like so many others, Serena Williams finally saw through Meghan.”
Another user added, “Well done, Serena. Best decision you could have ever made. Meghan was not your friend anyway; she was just using you for PR.”
One individual stated, “Meghan Markle has no one but herself to blame. She could have had it all.”