Prince Harry has accepted the Pat Tillman Award despite calls from veterans to reject it and used his speech to pay tribute to the fallen soldier’s mother after she said he was too ‘privileged’ and other soldiers were more deserving.
The Duke of Sussex, watched by his wife Meghan Markle, spoke of the ‘eternal bond’ between mother and son – a nod to Mary Tillman and Princess Diana. Harry has faced calls to reject the award because it has typically gone to unsung veterans. More than 76,000 people signed a petition demanding the decision was reversed.
And Mary Tillman told the Mail last month that she was ‘shocked’ it would go to ‘such a controversial and divisive figure’, adding: ‘There are recipients that are far more fitting. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has’.
But last night at the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, hosted by Meghan’s close friend Serena Williams, Harry extended an olive branch to Mr Tillman’s mother.
Meghan beamed with pride as Harry spoke of his ‘respect’ for how she was preserving her son’s bravery and memory, as he also applauded the sacrifice of wounded veterans and praised the Invictus Games in his victory speech.
‘Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,’ he said. ‘The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.’
Mary Tillman was not at the ceremony but Pat’s widow Marie was, and she watched on seriously as the award in her husband’s memory went to Harry.
Meghan Markle beamed with pride as Prince Harry collected a prestigious military honour at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles
Harry accepted the award at the ceremony despite critics having called for him to turn down the honour – while an online petition was set up condemning the prize
The Duke of Sussex raised the trophy in the air to the crowd of veterans and A-listers
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex accepts the Pat Tillman Award onstage from veterans Kirstie Ennis, Israel Del Toro and Elizabeth Marks
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at the 2024 ESPY Awards
Pat’s widow Marie watched on seriously as the award in her husband’s memory went to Harry
The couple received a huge cheer as they were announced at the event by host Serena Williams, who jokingly warned them not to ‘overshadow’ her
The award is named after Pat Tillman, an NFL player who gave up his lucrative career to enlist in the army in the wake of 9/11. He died in Afghanistan in 2004
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