Second award row overshadows Prince Harry’s US relaunch

Since moving abroad and being forced to give up his various military honours and associations, the Duke of Sussex has instead resorted to collecting American awards.

But in doing so, it has become increasingly clear that he is now as divisive a figure in the US as he is in the UK.

The backlash last week over the decision to give the Duke an award named after Pat Tillman, the American war hero killed in Afghanistan, is understood to have stunned Prince Harry.

It also presents a pressing problem as he seeks to build a career upon the foundations of his past military endeavours.

For while the Duchess of Sussex is busy establishing a commercial empire promoting a domestic idyll, her husband has struggled to find his niche since moving abroad.

He is understood to be keen to focus on his experience in the military and working with veterans, hence the acceptance of a Legends of Aviation Award in January and the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPY ceremony next week.

The ESPY awards are often dubbed the sporting equivalent of the Oscars and are presented by sports media group ESPN. Pat Tillman, whose name is given to Harry’s honour, was an American football player who enlisted after 9/11 and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.

Boost to profile

Such glitzy award ceremonies serve to boost the Duke’s public profile at a time when he is otherwise rarely in the public eye.

However, when the publicity is largely negative, it points to a deeper reputational issue which it may prove difficult to overcome, as the Duke seeks another project to command his focus as the Invictus Games has done.

The controversy whipped up over the decision to award the Duke the Pat Tillman Award – for his work with Invictus – certainly took the wind out of his sails.

Team Sussex is resigned to criticism, fully aware of the polarising sentiments towards both Harry and Meghan. But when it concerns anything relating to his military record and work with veterans, it is a particularly bitter pill to swallow, one source admitted.

“Harry’s legacy on Invictus, the things he has achieved, that’s his real passion,” they said. “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.”

Living Legend of Aviation?

The source acknowledged that it was much the same in January when Harry, who completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot, joined the likes of astronauts Buzz Aldrin and James Lovell to be recognised as a Living Legend of Aviation at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, California.

Defence chiefs lashed out at the decision to recognise the Duke ahead of others such as Tim Peake, the first British astronaut to walk in space. Admiral Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, did not mince his words, saying: “He is not a living legend.”

The latest backlash began almost immediately after ESPN announced on June 27 that the Duke would be given the Pat Tillman Award for Service, for individuals in the sporting world who have made significant contributions to the lives of others.

Past recipients include Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, who waged a high-profile campaign to persuade the Government to provide free meals to vulnerable youngsters during the Covid pandemic.

A petition swiftly launched on change.org urged ESPN to rethink its decision.Within ten days it boasted almost 68,000 signatures.

“Pat Tillman exemplified duty, honour, and sacrifice,” it said. “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.”

‘They need a new category’

On June 29, former NFL player Pat McAfee criticised the decision on his ESPN show, 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 they create a new category specifically for Prince Harry. “How about it’s like ESPY for Royal Family member who doesn’t want to be called ‘Royal Family member’ who loves sports?”

Co-host Boston Connor said it was “probably the most embarrassing thing I’ve seen in my entire life” while guest Ty Schmitt called the awards “a gimmick”.

The furore really took off the following day, when Tillman’s mother, Mary, told the Mail on Sunday: “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. There are recipients that are far more fitting.”

Among the publications which picked up the story were the New York Times and Vanity Fair.

By then, ESPN felt obliged to defend its decision, stepping in to hail the “incredible” work of the Invictus Games. The intervention was well-received by an increasingly frustrated Team Sussex.

Harry defended

Jake Wood, a former Pat Tillman Award recipient, later 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.”

Predictably, the debacle has done nothing to dampen interest in the awards. One television consultant, who works for Disney and ESPN, said: “Prince Harry getting this award has drawn insane eyeballs to this show.

“The fact that so many people are talking about Harry and this honour will delight those at the top. They will stand firm on him getting it and also behind closed doors be excited that such a decision has prompted such interest in this night.

“Like it or loathe it, Harry draws interest and potentially bigger ratings – so they will keep him there.”