The Duke of Sussex is set to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service despite criticism from Tillman’s mother.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are having a date night at the 2024 ESPY Awards.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out at ESPN’s 32nd annual ceremony honoring athletic achievement at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on July 11.
The ESPYs were hosted by Serena Williams, a friend of Meghan and Harry’s, and the tennis legend gave the couple a shout-out in her opening monologue.
“It’s well, actually only pretty often that I get to be in a room with actual royalty, and tonight is no exception,” Williams said. “Prince Harry and Meghan are here. Let’s give it up for them.”
“But please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight,” she continued. “Because this is my night, and I don’t want to be overshadowed by the accusations that you guys are taking up too much oxygen, okay?”
The footage cut to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex laughing at the joke from the front row.
The Duchess of Sussex and Williams have known each other since 2010 when they met at a Super Bowl XLIV event. They’ve since supported each other during clothing line launches, tennis tournaments, podcasts and even weddings, as Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, attended Meghan and Prince Harry’s 2018 nuptials at Windsor Castle.
Meghan and Williams were most recently spotted together at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Florida on April 12, in which Prince Harry played.
Prince Harry is set to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service during the show, recognizing his work with service personnel and veterans through the Invictus Games as the adaptive sports competition is celebrating its 10th year.
The Pat Tillman Award for Service is handed out annually in honor of the NFL player who dropped out of the league and enlisted in the military after 9/11. He died in Afghanistan in 2004 when he was just 27.
However, the announcement of this year’s recipient wasn’t met with praise by all. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, told the Daily Mail, “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. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans,” Mary continued. “These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.”
ESPN said in a statement in response: “ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world. While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work, and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”
