Prince Harry is poised to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the upcoming ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, an honor recognizing his contributions through The Invictus Games Foundation. This accolade comes as a significant personal victory for Harry following what has been described as a "brutal snub" by King Charles, who recently reassigned a military title once held by Harry to Prince William.
Amidst controversy over his eligibility for the award, including criticism from Pat Tillman’s family, Prince Harry has decided to proceed with accepting the honor, reports Richard Eden of the Daily Mail. This decision is seen as a statement in response to the familial rift, especially after being stripped of his formal military associations—a move that deeply affected him.
Harry's acceptance of the ESPY award and other accolades in the U.S. appears to be part of a broader strategy to affirm his and Meghan's commitment to their advocacy on issues like racial equality, social justice, and mental health, for which they have also received the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award.
A source in the U.S. entertainment industry noted that such awards not only keep the Sussexes relevant but also enhance their public profile during quieter professional periods, aligning with their representation’s strategy to maintain visibility and engagement with their work and causes.