Prince Harry may decline Pat Tillman Award, is ‘quite sad’ over ESPYs backlash: expert
Prince Harry is reportedly feeling “sad” over the mass backlash he has received after being named the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYs.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to be honored at Thursday’s ceremony for his military experience and work on the Invictus Games.
The announcement raised many eyebrows, including those of the late hero’s mom, Mary Tillman, who criticized ESPN and claimed she was never consulted about the decision.
The father of two soon found himself at the center of controversy, and former royal butler Grant Harrold believes that he is now mulling over his options.
“It’s interesting that Harry’s nod has ruffled feathers,” Harrold exclusively told The Post. “From my point of view, it’s a bit confusing.”
Harrold said that Harry is no doubt “feeling quite sad about it,” adding that Harry — who quit royal life in 2020 — is “one of the most caring, kindest and most gentle people you could ever meet.”
So much so, that it’s possible he will decline the prestigious award.
“He’d never want to cause any upset,” Harrold said. “If he thinks that it is going to cause upset, then it is quite likely that he could decline the award . . . because he’d never want to cause any upset and it would affect him hearing about the backlash.”
“Only time will tell how he’ll respond but I’m sure it’s something he’ll be consulting his team and wife Meghan [Markle] about,” he added on behalf of Fruity Slots.
ESPN has since defended its decision to honor Harry, saying his work on the Invictus Games “is a cause worth celebrating.”
The award is handed out to individuals who have made significant contributions in the world, which echo the legacy of the former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who enlisted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Tillman, a former safety for the Arizona Cardinals, served in Iraq and then Afghanistan before he was killed by friendly fire in 2004, with the soldier posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service.
Harry, for his part, served in the British armed forces for 10 years, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot and a forward air controller.
“Harry is somebody who has been seen to act in service,” Harrold said. “He’s somebody that has served his country, he is obviously a senior member of the royal family albeit not a working member.”
“Not forgetting all the work he has done as part of the Invictus Games, so obviously it was felt that he deserved to receive the nomination.”
“I can understand why Harry might be confused about the reaction to him being up for the award — this is to do with his military background,” he said, adding that there’s “never been any issues or questions over that.”
Earlier this week, it was reported that Harry was “stunned” over the negative response to him being honored.
In turn, Harry was urged to do the “honorable thing” and turn down the award.
