Prince Harry Gave a Nod to Princess Diana While Accepting His Controversial ESPY Award

On July 11, Prince Harry received an award at the 2024 ESPYs in recognition of his commitment to war veterans and sick or wounded servicemen and women through the Invictus Games, the international sports competition he founded in 2014. For the occasion, he was accompanied by his wife, Meghan Markle, who walked the carpet in a long white dress with a neckline that was reminiscent of the Stella McCartney piece she’d chosen as her wedding reception dress.

The Duke of Sussex was there to receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service, named after the NFL player who enlisted in the Army following the attacks of September 11, 2001, and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004. The award that bears his name is “given to an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes [his] legacy.” When Prince Harry’s nomination was announced, Tillman’s mother made no secret of her feelings about it.

“I am shocked that they have chosen such a controversial and divisive individual to receive this award,” Marie Tillman Shenton told the Daily Mail. “There are people who deserve it far more, who work in the veterans’ community and do extraordinary things to help them…. These people don’t have the money, resources, connections or privileges that Prince Harry has. I think they should be recognized.”

ESPN, the organizer of the ESPY Awards, responded with a statement: “ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, honors Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in particular for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year of promoting healing through the power of sport for military personnel and veterans around the world. While we understand that not everyone agrees with every honoree selected for an award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work, and ESPN believes it’s a cause worth celebrating.”

In addition to his work on the Invictus Games, Prince Harry served 10 years in the British army and carried out several missions in Afghanistan.