Meghan Markle paid elegant homage to her star-studded 2018 wedding to Prince Harry at tonight’s ESPY Awards, where she wore a white gown that bore a striking resemblance to her stunning Stella McCartney reception dress.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, put on a radiant display at Thursday night’s awards ceremony, where she watched proudly as her husband accepted the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service – an honour that has sparked a furious backlash and controversy.
But despite skipping the awards show’s red carpet amid the scandal, Harry, 39, and Meghan looked every bit the coolest Hollywood couple as they attended the ceremony, smiling happily for the cameras as they received a shout-out from close friend Serena Williams.
And while all eyes were on Harry and his acceptance of the award, royal watchers were also buzzing about another hot topic on social media: Meghan’s glamorous halterneck gown and the uncanny similarities between it and her 2018 reception dress.
At first glance, the two designs appear almost identical: both feature a high-necked top and a long, flowing skirt, although Meghan’s ESPYs dress featured draped fabric around the neck, while her Stella McCartney wedding dress was more fitted.
Meghan Markle looked radiant in bridal white as she attended the ESPY Awards with Prince Harry on Thursday night.
The 42-year-old actress’s ESPYs dress bore an uncanny resemblance to the stunning Stella McCartney gown she wore to the couple’s wedding reception in 2018 (pictured)
Although Meghan and Harry skipped the red carpet, they did pose for photos with friend Serena Williams backstage at the event.
Still, fans couldn’t help but draw comparisons between the two, with one X user commenting: “That style of dress is timeless on Meghan, giving her wedding reception vibes.”
Another added: “She loves monochrome! (The dress) It reminds me of their second wedding dress.’
Unlike at the couple’s wedding reception, where Meghan wore her hair in a loose low bun with several wavy strands framing her face, the duchess opted to show off her bronzed shoulders at the ESPYs by slicking her hair back into a sleek low bun.
She kept her makeup natural, applying a bit of peachy blush on her cheeks, layers of mascara, and a bit of smoky eyeshadow.
Meghan opted for limited accessories, sporting a pair of diamond stud earrings, her beloved $7,350 gold Cartier Love bracelet, her wedding and engagement ring, and a large gold and diamond ring on her other hand.
Instead of white bridal heels, the mother of two chose a pair of strappy black heels, revealing her pale pink pedicure, which matched the same neutral shade she wore on her nails.
Though Meghan and Harry decided to skip the red carpet amid the bitter uproar over her award, the duchess did get a chance to show off her dress in front of the cameras after her husband’s appearance on stage when she posed for photos with Serena backstage at the event.
The two women, who met at a Super Bowl party in 2010, were seen hugging each other, before turning to face the cameras for photos, even posing for some snaps with Harry.
Meghan and Harry received a wave from Serena at the start of the ceremony, with the tennis star joking about the couple’s uncanny ability to attract attention.
Before the ceremony began, Harry and Meghan were seen catching up with friends in the audience, with the Duchess leaning over to give an aide a big hug.
The Duchess chose to show off her tanned shoulders at the ESPY Awards by slicking her hair back into a sleek low bun.
Meghan’s ESPYs dress looked almost identical to the Stella McCartney gown she wore to dance the night away at the couple’s 2018 wedding reception (spotted)
Meanwhile, pictures taken inside the awards ceremony showed Meghan sitting next to her husband, beaming with pride as she rested her hand on his knee.
When Harry’s award was announced, Meghan rose from her seat to give her husband a standing ovation, clapping proudly in his honour as he walked onto the stage.
The award, named after the iconic NFL player who left his lucrative career to join the military after the 9/11 attacks before dying in Afghanistan in 2004, has sparked bitter controversy, with critics arguing the honor is intended to be given to anonymous veterans.
Tillman’s own mother, Mary, told DailyMail.com last month that she was “shocked” that the ESPYs “selected such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” adding that she was not consulted about the decision.
“There are recipients who are much more suitable. There are people working in the veteran community who are doing tremendous things to help them,” he said.
“These people don’t have the money, the resources, the connections or the privileges that Prince Harry has. I think these kinds of people should be recognised.”
Meghan and Serena, who became close after meeting at a Super Bowl party in 2010, were seen catching up backstage after Harry accepted his award.
Prince Harry also jumped in for a photo with the two women.
During his acceptance speech, Prince Harry paid a touching tribute to Princess Diana when he noted that “the bond between mother and son is eternal.”
The award is named for Pat Tillman, the iconic NFL player who left his lucrative career to join the military after the 9/11 attacks before dying in Afghanistan in 2004.
The latest backlash began almost immediately after ESPN announced on June 27 that Harry would receive the Pat Tillman Service Award.
A petition urging ESPN to reconsider its decision garnered nearly 68,000 signatures in ten days.
It said: ‘Pat Tillman exemplified duty, honor and sacrifice.’
“He gave up his successful NFL career to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks and tragically lost his life while in service. To bestow this honor on someone who does not reflect the intent of the award diminishes its value and is disrespectful to Tillman’s memory.”
In a statement, ESPN, which organises the ESPY Awards, stood by its decision and said it was honouring Harry for the work he has done for veterans through his Invictus Games.
‘ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, honors 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,’ the statement read.
‘While we understand that not everyone will agree with every honoree selected for any award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.’
