Prince Harry's deepest connection to the US comes under fire

Prince Harry is set to receive an ESPY award, sparking a backlash over an aspect of his work that he has repeatedly used to appeal to American audiences.

ESPN has defended its decision to award Harry the Pat Tillman Service Award in recognition of his work with the Invictus Games, following criticism of the decision. Tillman was an Arizona Cardinals football star who left the NFL to serve his country in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, before being killed in friendly fire in April 2004.

His mother, Mary Tillman, suggested that Harry was too controversial a figure to receive the award, which she said should have gone to someone less privileged.

The backlash against Prince Harry

“I'm shocked why they chose such a controversial and divisive person to receive this award,” she told the Mail“There are recipients who are much more appropriate.”

She said these included people who “don't have the money, resources, connections or privileges that Prince Harry has.”

Sports analyst Pat McAfee also condemned the move on his ESPN show: “Now there's an award named after him. [Tillman]as it should be in the world of sports, because he's someone who embodies the very definition of selflessness. He's Prince Harry. Who, in my opinion, isn't even a prince anymore. You know, why do the ESPYs do this?

“I don't know anything about [Harry] apart from the South Park episode and then what I learned from The Crown and all that kind of stuff,” he continued.

“Did his people know that by publicly nominating me for this award, you are simply asking every person who considers themselves American to say that this is bullshit,” especially at a sports award.

And Prince Harry's regular critic Piers Morgan joined the fray, using his The New York Post column to write: “The idea that he could somehow 'echo the legacy' of Pat Tillman is a joke in poor taste. Only Tillman's family isn't laughing.”

Morgan wrote that “Tillman's inner voice led him to become a patriotic hero. Harry's inner voice led him to become a traitor. Pat Tillman will turn in his grave over this dishonor to his name.”

Meanwhile, an online petition urging ESPN to reconsider the decision has garnered 44,000 signatures and states: “Prince Harry, although a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude.

“He has been accused of endangering his squadron by publicly revealing military losses. The prince is also said to have targeted his own father, Prince Charles, during a flyover.

“More recently, his role in the Invictus Games, a platform intended to celebrate the resilience and dedication of veterans, has been criticised as self-serving.

“In contrast, Pat Tillman embodied duty, honor and sacrifice.”

Prince Harry's Most Significant Characteristic

The ceremony won't take place until July 11, giving Harry plenty of time to consider whether to attend in person, risking adding fuel to the fire, or to keep a low profile in the hope the backlash will die down.

In the meantime, the saga brings controversy to an aspect of Harry's professional life in which he has always found a sure value in America.

Whether it was his service to his country or the Invictus Games themselves, the prince's relationship with the US military and veterans proved to be a common ground for him, long before his move to California.

The Games gave him the opportunity to spend time with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, as well as Barack and Michelle Obama, while he was still a working member of the royal family.

Beyond Invictus, Harry's military service was a key aspect of how he chose to promote himself when publishing his memoir. Spare was first announced and the book contains substantial chapters on his time in the forces.

The film is peppered with military metaphors, from the paparazzi who photographed Princess Diana as she died – “they were shooting, shooting, shooting” – to Prince Harry spotting an unfamiliar face on the day Meghan first met Queen Elizabeth II, “a bogeyman at noon”.

In an interview with Stephen Colbert in January 2023, he was asked about British press reports suggesting he had bragged about the number of Taliban he had killed while on active duty. Colbert said, “Do you think the British press is using this specifically to undermine you in an area that you care about?”

Harry replied: “Without a doubt. It's not only an area they know to be most significant, but it has defined my life.”

Seeing such a vital pillar of his connection to the American public become controversial will undoubtedly be deeply unwelcome to the prince.

Yet the story received unusually wide coverage in American media outlets that do not usually indulge in the kind of critical content typical of the British press.

These include The New York Times's The AthleticNBC Today, People and other major media outlets, all of which covered Mary Tillman's remarks.

All of which means that a topic that would normally be a clean sweep for Harry has suddenly sparked controversy over what is perhaps the most personal aspect of his reputation.

ESPN said in a statement: “ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, honors Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year of promoting healing through the power of sport for service members and veterans around the world.

“While we understand that not everyone will agree with every award recipient, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes it is a cause worth celebrating.”

Jack Royston is the chief royal correspondent for Newsweekbased in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook Page.

Do you have a question about Charles and Queen Camilla, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry or their families that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email [email protected]. We would love to hear from you.