Serena Williams debunks royal wedding rumour and reveals what she loved most about the day

TENNIS champ Serena Williams has opened up about the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, revealing her favourite part of the event.

Speaking to the Associated Press after her win at the French Open, Williams laughed off reports that she’d been involved in a game of ‘beer pong’ at the wedding’s private evening reception at Frogmore House.

She said those rumours were “not even remotely true,” adding: “I don’t even drink beer”.

While she said she and her husband Alexis Ohanian had a “big laugh” about those beer pong rumours, Williams was clear about the most profound pleasure she had taken from the event.

“It was really exciting to see so much African-American culture in the wedding and I was really happy that Meghan wanted to incorporate that into it,” she said.

“It was just a whole cultural shift and change. It was seeing how far African-Americans have come.

“I thought it was an incredibly inspiring and beautiful and really motivating thing. I was so proud of her and so happy for her.”

In a marked break from royal tradition, the wedding included many elements of African-American culture including a gospel choir and a lively sermon from Bishop Michael Curry.

With the wedding of the year now behind them, Harry and Meghan are settling in to life as a married couple — and for former actress and outspoken activist Meghan, royal rules and protocols may take some getting used to.

Since the 17th century, royal protocol dictates the British monarchy is forbidden from expressing political opinion, meaning members of the royal family cannot vote or be seen to be favouring one political cause over another.

It’s so strictly followed that Queen Elizabeth was accused of being in breach after saying people should “think very carefully about the future” before the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

The former Suits star is no stranger to voicing her opinion from an early age, having successfully campaigned to have a washing detergent advertisement’s sexist language changed at just 11.

University of Paris’ British history professor Ophelie Simeon told France 24 that no member of the royal family, including Meghan, can voice their political opinions publicly.

“She is definitely political, but as the newest member of the royal family I think she will use her charity work to channel her political side,” Prof Simeon said.

“I think it will be more appropriate as far as protocol is concerned.”