Prince Harry Accepted His ESPY Award with a Touching Nod to Princess Diana

Prince Harry was awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards last night in Los Angeles.

Harry looked emotional as his name was read out by the presenters. His wife, Meghan Markle, who made an unexpected appearance alongside her husband at last night's ESPY Awards in a slinky white halter gown, squeezed his arm, before she rose to her feet to give Harry a standing ovation as he mounted the stage. Harry then gave a touching speech as Markle watched on proudly from the crowd.

"I'd like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to everyone at the Pat Tillman Foundation," he began. He then spoke about Pat's mother, Mary. “[Mary’s] advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect," he said, adding, in a seeming reference to his own mother, the late Princess Diana, "The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest honors.”

Harry went on to dedicate the award to "the thousands of veterans and service personnel across 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality." He added, "This award belongs to them, not to me. That said, it is of great importance to me to highlight these allies, athletes and their amazing families for their achievements their spirit and their courage at every opportunity, especially on nights like this in front of people like you.”

He continued, speaking about the importance of the Invictus Games. “For those who may not know, ‘Invictus’ comes from Latin, meaning ‘undefeated’ or ‘unconquerable’. Nelson Mandela credited the poem of the same name, written by the poet William Ernest Henley, for giving him the strength to endure nearly 30 years of imprisonment," he said. “Like that poem, the spirit of the Invictus Games transcends race, time, and borders. It is born from unity, and exudes purpose." As he said these words, the crowd began to applaud, and Meghan could be seen smiling proudly in the crowd.

The Pat Tillman Award is given to someone who has contributed to Pat Tillman's legacy through their contributions to the sporting community. Tillman was an American football player who was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2004. Harry was honored for his ongoing work as the cofounder of the Invictus Games, a yearly sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.

This is not the first time Harry has nodded to his late mother while discussing his work. "I certainly hope and believe everything I do makes her proud," he told People in 2022. "In the 12 short years I was lucky enough to have with her, I saw and felt the energy and lift she got from helping others, no matter their background, ailment or status. Her life and theirs was better for it, however short theirs or hers was. I honor my mother in everything I do. I am my mother's son."