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As Prince Harry took the stage to accept the inaugural Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2022 ESPYs, many eyes were watching with skepticism and disagreement. The award, which honors veterans and their service, felt misplaced to some being given to the former royal who had moved to America just a few years prior.
In his acceptance speech, Harry paid tribute to veterans across the United States and drew comparisons to his own military service in the British Army. However, his words rang hollow for many in the audience and viewing at home. Several comments online pointed out that this is no longer Harry's country and he seemed to be using veterans merely as a platform to make a political point.
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Also on stage with Harry were previous Pat Tillman Award winners who had truly exemplified service and sacrifice. Israel Del Toro, James Wright, and Mary Tilman were among those who lost limbs or suffered severe injuries in service to their country. As highly decorated sergeants in the US Armed Forces, they endured burns over 80% of their body, long recoveries, and return to active duty despite disabilities.
In contrast, some felt Harry had done little since leaving the military besides photo opportunities. Referencing Tillman's mother also struck the wrong note, coming across as an attempt to name-drop and bring up his own departed mother. While Harry's intent may have been to pay respect, the invocation felt disingenuous and disrespectful to many listeners given his checkered history handling such subjects.
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During his speech, Harry also took a swipe at the treatment of veterans in America, implying the problem was unique to the US. But as a representative of the Invictus Games, an international organization supporting wounded veterans, his comments angered some who felt he was inappropriately politicizing other countries' servicemen and women. His statement about veterans' care was a generalized criticism that ignored support systems in place and came across as misguided.
The award itself also struck a sour note for competition it replaced - the Warrior Games. Founded by the US Army, the Warrior Games celebrates recovery and rehabilitation through sports for wounded servicemen and women. Having worked for over a decade to build the event, some felt it deserved recognition over the newer Invictus Games, which risks being overshadowed by Harry and Meghan's celebrity antics.
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By accepting the Pat Tillman Award, Harry undermined the sacrifices of true recipients on stage with him. As calls grew for him to decline the honor, he seemed tone deaf to legitimate concerns about invading others' legacies and platforms for self-promotion. Harry once cultivated a credible military image but now appears happy to leverage any veteran connection for fame.
After enduring blistering criticism online during his speech, Harry and Meghan made a hasty exit, suggesting they felt the tide of opinion strongly turned against them. With negative headlines mounting over their reception, it's clear this "PR stunt" backfired by bringing renewed scrutiny to their checkered history on military, royal, and political issues.
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As representatives of Invictus, some pointed out the organization now wants distance, with a few countries pulling participation due to Harry and Meghan's exploiting the Games for exposure. Athletes too have complained the couple threatens to overshadow the real message of recovery. By turning the ESPN stage into another episode of the Harry and Meghan show, they disrespected the very veterans they claim to support.
Many saw this episode as evidence the royals continually damage what they touch, whether it's Diana's memory or military credibility. In America especially, more and more are agreeing Harry is no longer the warrior prince he fashioned himself as, but an entitled celebrity grasping onto any cause that might bring attention his way. With even his own relatives reportedly doubting his motives, it's clear the Pat Tillman appearance has set back what little goodwill Harry had left on both sides of the Atlantic. Moving forward, the couple would be wise to reconsider co-opting veterans' platforms if they want to truly honor service over self-promotion.
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