From Hero to Zero: Prince Harry's 'Mudslinging Book' and Duke's 'Oprah Interview' With Meghan Markle Helped Spoil Pat Tillman Award Reception

Prince Harry was honored with the prestigious Pat Tillman Award at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday, July 11. However, his reception when receiving the award was "less than impressive" and tampered by controversy.

"I think he's going to be very stung by the backlash to this award," royal expert Sarah Hewson remarked.

"What he has done through the Invictus Games is extremely laudable; I think it’s the best thing that he has done," she added. "This is his legacy project and there are so many people that would say he has changed their lives, even saved their lives."

But the backlash has been fierce.

Harry served in the British Armed Forces from 2005 to 2015, and Hewson, along with many royal analysts, feels that his time in uniform and fighting on the front lines was "his life's passion."

"Also it seems to me the one way he can validate himself is through his military links and no one is criticizing those," he added. "He was a brave soldier, he did two tours in Afghanistan, but nevertheless the constant reminder of his military connection grates with a lot of people who can’t get over the fact he chose financial gain and a break from royal tradition ahead of service."

The Duke met American actress Meghan Markle during the summer of 2016, and their whirlwind romance and marriage, and eventual "Megxit" from Britain and the monarchy "forever changed his life."

"Megxit was one thing — an easy thing to apologize for at some point, but the Oprah sit-down, the documentary and the book — Harry's life as a royal is completely finished," a palace insider spilled.

The Pat Tillman Award, named after the late NFL player and Army Ranger who was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2004, is intended to honor individuals who exemplify service and leadership. While Harry’s Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, aligns with these values, some critics have argued that Harry’s nomination was undeserved.

Tillman's mother, Mary, said that there "are recipients that are far more fitting" than the fiery-haired prince who wrote a bestselling book that attacked members of his family.

Despite the backlash, Harry used the ESPY Awards platform to shift focus away from himself and towards the participants of the Invictus Games.

"I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality," the Duke of Sussex said as he accepted his honor. "This award belongs to them, not to me."

The Sun reported on Hewson's remarks.