After much speculation, Prince Harry finally accepted the Pat Tillman Service Award at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was honoured for his military experience and work on the Invictus Games at the star-studded ceremony, hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams.
And while rumor had it that Harry had considered declining this coveted recognition, he ultimately decided to accept it.
According to former royal butler Grant Harrold, who knew the prince personally, Harry did so to “stand up for what he believes in.”
“I thought he was going to say no because that’s just his nature, but maybe Harry got to a point where he just decided he was going to do what he wanted to do and like I said, because of his military background and the Invictus Games, it’s something he’s really passionate about,” Harrold exclusively told The Post.
“He’s accepting this award on behalf of the military personnel, so in some ways he probably feels it’s his duty to accept it.”
“That’s why I think he did it and maybe he decided to ignore people who are trying to be negative about it,” he added on behalf of Slingo.
Harry was overcome with emotion after being introduced by veterans and former Tillman Prize winners and Invictus athletes Marine Sergeant Kirstie Ennis, Army Sergeant Elizabeth Marks and US Air Force Master Sergeant Israel Del Toro Jr.
“I am not here as Prince Harry, the Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather as the spokesperson for the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service members from over 20 countries who have made the Invictus Games a reality,” said the father-of-two, who stepped down as a royal in 2020. “This award belongs to them, not me.”
Indeed, Harrold echoed the Duke’s sentiment, saying the honour “undoubtedly means a great deal” to Harry.
“It shows that people appreciate what he’s doing with the Invictus Games, it also shows that people respect him for what he’s done in his career in the military, which I think is also important,” he noted.
“His military career was very important to Harry, I remember, it was also very important to his late grandmother (Queen Elizabeth II) and his grandfather (Prince Philip) who were also very proud of him and what he had achieved.”
The award, however, was not without some criticism, including from Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman.
“I’m shocked why they chose such a controversial and divisive person to receive this award,” she told the Daily Mail last month. “There are much more worthy recipients. There are people working in the veterans community who are doing wonderful things to help veterans.”
Mary explained that these individuals “do not have the money, resources, connections or privileges” that the youngest son of King Charles III has.
Despite the backlash, Harry mentioned Mary in his speech Thursday night. “(Mary’s) advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and I respect it,” he said. “The bond between a mother and her son is eternal and transcends even the greatest loss.”
Harry arrived at the star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles with his wife Meghan Markle by his side.
The former “Suits” actress, 42, did not join her husband on stage, but instead watched proudly from the auditorium.
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News Source : nypost.com
