Prince Harry pays tribute to his 'eternal bond' with Princess Diana as he accepts Pat Tillman Award - after fallen vet's mother said he was not deserving

Prince Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYs, despite significant calls from veterans and the public urging him to reject it. Critics argued that the award, which typically honors unsung veterans, should go to someone less privileged and more deserving. Over 76,000 people signed a petition demanding that the decision be reversed.

Meghan Markle beamed with pride as Prince Harry collected a prestigious military honour at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles

Mary Tillman, mother of Pat Tillman—the fallen soldier after whom the award is named—expressed her shock at Harry being chosen, calling him a "controversial and divisive figure." She emphasized that many other deserving individuals lack the "money, resources, connections, or privilege" that Prince Harry has.

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

In his acceptance speech, watched by his wife Meghan Markle, Harry paid tribute to Mary Tillman by speaking of the "eternal bond" between a mother and son, nodding to both Mary Tillman and his own mother, Princess Diana. Despite the controversy, Harry used the platform to highlight the sacrifices of wounded veterans and the work of the Invictus Games, dedicating the award to the entire service community.

The Duke of Sussex raised the trophy in the air to the crowd of veterans and A-listers

At the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, hosted by Meghan Markle's close friend Serena Williams, Prince Harry extended an olive branch to Mary Tillman, mother of Pat Tillman. In his acceptance speech, Harry expressed his "respect" for Mary's efforts in preserving her son's bravery and memory. Meghan beamed with pride as Harry spoke, highlighting the eternal bond between a mother and son, a nod to both Mary Tillman and his own mother, Princess Diana. He also used the moment to applaud the sacrifices of wounded veterans and praised the Invictus Games.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex accepts the Pat Tillman Award onstage from veterans Kirstie Ennis, Israel Del Toro and Elizabeth Marks 

"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 present at the ceremony, but Pat Tillman's widow, Marie, attended and watched seriously as the award in her husband's memory was presented to Prince Harry. Despite calls from critics, including the former head of Britain's Royal Navy Lord West, who warned that accepting the award risked the wrath of military veterans, Harry proceeded to accept the honor.

Pat's widow Marie watched on seriously as the award in her husband's memory went to Harry

The Pat Tillman Award is named after the iconic NFL player and late US Army Ranger who gave up his lucrative sporting career to enlist in the army following the 9/11 attacks. Pat Tillman tragically died in Afghanistan in 2004 due to friendly fire.

The Duchess of Sussex was embraced as she and her husband Prince Harry arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 32nd ESPY Awards

Prince Harry accepted the prestigious military honor and used his time on stage to pay tribute to wounded veterans. Accepting the award from three previous winners, Harry—who served two tours in Afghanistan—acknowledged the struggles that military personnel face after returning from duty.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they take their seats in the Dolby Theatre

Despite some condemnation of Harry as a recipient of the award, ESPN defended their choice, highlighting his significant role in establishing the Invictus Games. In his speech, Harry dedicated the award to "the entire service community," emphasizing the collective efforts and sacrifices of veterans and service personnel.

Prince Harry, who raised eyebrows last month when he was announced as the winner, was greeted on stage by three previous recipients of the Pat Tillman Award 

"Tonight, we celebrate healing through sport," Prince Harry said in his acceptance speech at the ESPY Awards, where he addressed veterans around the world, reassuring them, "We will leave no one behind." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined other award nominees, including Patrick Mahomes and Caitlin Clark, at the star-studded event hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams.

Harry dedicated his award to 'the entire service community', and pledged to leave 'no one behind' as he touched on the sacrifice of wounded veterans 

Harry began his speech by expressing his "deepest gratitude to everyone at the Pat Tillman Foundation," including the ex-NFL player's widow, Marie Tillman Shenton, who was in attendance.

Harry told the crowd: 'I'd also like to acknowledge the Tillman family especially Mrs Mary Tillman, Pat's mother - her advocacy for Pat's legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect'

He then made his remarks addressing Mary Tillman, before adding: "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.

Mary Tillman testifies about the information surrounding her son's death in battle. She does not appear to have attended last night's awards 

"This award belongs to them, not to me."

He also spoke of the inspiration Invictus Games competitors provided amid what he called "an age of polarization and division."

The Duke of Sussex rejected calls not to accept the award and was said to be 'stunned' by the reaction

The Duke said: "While so much progress has been made since those first Invictus Games, the world outside seems to be in an even more precarious state.

Prince Harry leaves the stage in Los Angeles after accepting the prize

"Conflicts rage around the globe—anger and resentment towards those who are different seem to pervade societies everywhere.

"Our community challenges that. Our community proves that unity is not just possible but formidable.

"The beauty of the Invictus Games lies in how it brings people together no matter one's nationality, background, or personal struggles."

Meghan and Harry were all smiles in the audience

The pair were seen chatting before the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre

"It is a collective, built from courage and mutual respect—where athletes discover time and time again the common denominator of their humanity.

"Having survived the crucible of armed combat and forged through the challenge to rebuild bodies and minds impacted by conflict, they form a family. They exemplify the very best in all of us."

Meghan enjoys a laugh with athlete Sadie Engelhardt as Harry speaks to basketball player Cooper Flagg

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received a huge cheer when they were announced by Serena Williams, a close friend of Meghan, who jokingly warned them not to "overshadow" her on "my night."

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 

Serena Williams also received a warm welcome on stage as she admitted the role was a departure from her usual talents, saying, "You may be asking what I'm doing up here."

"This is my night," she quipped while pointing out Harry and Meghan. "I don't want to be overshadowed by you two breathing too much oxygen."

Serena Williams, who posed with Harry backstage, received an enthusiastic reception as she joked to the audience about her hosting role, saying: 'You may be asking what I'm doing up here' 

Williams also paid tribute to the banner year women's sports has had in 2024 and took aim at the hosts ESPN for a lack of airtime given in years past.

The tennis star has grown close to Meghan Markle in recent years, and their friendship was on show at the event

Hours before the event began, a small aircraft flew a mysterious message aimed at Prince Harry overhead, cryptically urging him to "investigate Mum's death."

The announcement of Harry as the winner of the award last month drew scrutiny on event organizers, with ESPN personality Pat McAfee implying that Harry was picked as a purposefully divisive winner to increase TV ratings.

Weatherwoman Indra Petersons, former Pat Tillman Award recipient Jake Wood and Prince Harry

Mary Tillman also claimed that she was not even consulted over the winner. "These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized," she said.

Mary Tillman, the fallen NFL star-turned-veteran's mother, she was 'shocked' her son's award would go to 'such a controversial and divisive figure' 

ESPN quickly defended its decision to give the award to Harry following Mary's remarks, saying it chose the Duke of Sussex "specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation."

The Duke of Sussex completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot

"While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating," the network said in a statement to the New York Post. The award notably joins together the worlds of sport and the military and aims to recognize those who made "remarkable civic contributions, extraordinary fortitude, and spirit of service" in both realms.

Previous winners Jake Wood (2018) and Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr., (2017), defended Prince Harry's win this year and paid tribute to his military service amid the backlash 

Former winners of the award came out in support of Harry after critics scathed his victory, with 2017 and 2018 winners, US Marine Jake Wood and USAF Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr. respectively, defending the Duke.

Wood told TMZ that he saw Harry's military record as deserving, with the royal having served in two tours of Afghanistan, the same number of tours he himself had done.

Tillman won legions of fans over his three years in the NFL playing for the Arizona Cardinals

Del Toro Jr. also cited Harry's work with the Invictus Games and said he was looking forward to watching the royal win this year's award.

The Pat Tillman Award has previously been given to unsung heroes, and last year it went to members of the Buffalo Bills American football team training staff who revived a dying player on the field.

The NFL star's death in 2004 sparked a media frenzy as it was later revealed that he died by friendly fire, but the military covered it up until a month after his funeral 

An online petition urging ESPN to reassess its decision last night had more than 75,000 signatures.

The petition page set up by New Jersey resident Patti Mickel states: "Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honor of this magnitude.

"In contrast, Pat Tillman exemplified duty, honour, and sacrifice. He gave up his successful NFL career to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks and tragically lost his life during his service. Awarding this honour to someone who does not reflect the award's intent diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman's memory."

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 

Comparisons have been drawn with how Harry, who completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot, was recognised as a Living Legend of Aviation at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, in January.

As he joined astronauts Buzz Aldrin and James Lovell in collecting that honour, former Royal Navy head Admiral Lord West said of Harry: "He is not a living legend."

Meghan and Harry won applause from fellow guests at the 32nd ESPY Awards

Lord West said this week of the prince's latest honour: "I really think Harry should be well advised to sit back and not accept awards like this.

"It doesn't travel well with people in the military. And when the mother of the man who died doesn't want him to get this award, he should think about that.

"My advice to him is to sit back and not accept any awards at the moment. They are going his way because he has such a high profile and people want to take advantage of that."

Former NFL player McAfee has also been among ESPN's critics, saying: "We should celebrate sports. The worldwide leaders should celebrate sport but doing something like this is obviously trying to p*** people off."

He suggested a new category award just for Harry, adding: "ESPY for Royal Family member who doesn't want to be called 'Royal Family member' who loves sports?"

Sources close to the prince have told of him feeling hurt by the backlash against the prize nomination, describing the fallout as "a bitter pill to swallow."

One was quoted by the Telegraph as saying: "Harry's legacy on Invictus, the things he has achieved, that's his real passion.

"This is the space in which he truly feels at home, it is something he deeply cares about. The reaction certainly took the shine off the award."

Former Pat Tillman Award winner Wood defended Prince Harry on TMZ Live, saying: "He's a royal prince—there's 100 different things he could have done with his life after his service in the British Armed Forces but he's chosen to dedicate a big portion of his post-military life to helping veterans."

Tillman was already a famous name in the NFL before he gave it up to enlist, having spent three successful years playing for the Arizona Cardinals.

In 2002, he gave up a $3.6 million three-year contract extension in favour of the Army, and although his time in the military captured headlines the same as in his NFL career, he was earning just $1,600 per month before taxes, according to Bleacher Report.

He was first deployed to Iraq in March 2003 and returned to the US to complete Ranger school—a gruelling 62-day course—before redeploying to Afghanistan in April 2004.

Tillman’s death just weeks into his tour of Afghanistan sparked a media frenzy, as it was initially reported that Tillman died at the hands of "enemy combatants" after his squadron was ambushed.

However, it later emerged that Tillman had run up a hill during a gun battle to protect his fellow soldiers but was actually shot three times in the head by his own men in a tragic case of friendly fire.

The military only admitted the truth a month after Tillman's very public funeral, with many speculating it did so to avoid further bad press as his death came in the same week that torture at the Abu Ghraib prison facility was exposed.

The Invictus Games was established in 2014 by Harry as an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women—including those still serving as well as veterans.

Earlier this week, the prince told of being excited to see the "passion, determination, and resilience" of the Team UK squad taking part in the next Invictus Games, the first to include winter sports.

He predicted a "memorable experience" scheduled for next February in Vancouver, which will include alpine skiing, snowboarding, and skeleton, after a 64-strong Team UK squad was named.

Harry and Meghan quit frontline royal duties in January 2020 and moved across the Atlantic for a new life in Montecito, California, with their children Archie and Lilibet. He released a tell-all memoir, Spare, in January last year, which became the UK’s fastest-selling non-fiction book after he clinched a £16 million ($20 million) advance as part of a £32 million ($40 million) four-book deal with publishers Penguin Random House.

The book included allegations that he was pushed into a dog bowl by his brother Prince William during an argument over former Suits actress Meghan.

It also claimed William teased Harry about his panic attacks, that King Charles put his own interests above his second son, and saw Harry talk about taking cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms.

Harry and Meghan gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 in which they accused an unnamed member of the royal family of raising concerns about how dark their son Archie’s skin might be.