PRINCE Harry has said he “respects” a war hero’s mum in a speech – after she blasted the “privileged” prince.
The Duke of Sussex was given an award honouring war hero Pat Tillman at a ceremony in Los Angeles last night.
Former NFL star Tillman quit his sporting career after 9/11 to enlist in the US Army.
He was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2004, and has been honoured by the Pat Tillman Award for Excellence.
Tillman’s mother Mary slammed the news that Harry would be this year’s recipient of the award – saying she was not consulted.
But in his speech, Harry said: “I’d like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother.
“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect.
“The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
Last month, Mary said: “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.
“There are individuals working in the veteran community doing tremendous things to assist veterans.
“These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has.”
She added: “I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised.”
Harry and his wife Meghan Markle beamed as tennis star and pal Serena Williams introduced his award last night.
The pair skipped the red carpet before the event after the backlash over Harry receiving the prestigious award.
He won the gong for his Invictus Games work at the star-studded Los Angeles bash.
In his speech, Harry said: “The truth is I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather as a voice on behalf of the Invictus Game Foundation.
“Thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations have made the Invictus Games a reality – this award belongs to them not me.
“It is of great importance to me to highlight these allies 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. Moments like these help us reach the people who need Invictus most.
“And reduce more than 20 veterans a day taking their own lives in this country alone.”
PAT Tillman first rocketed to fame as a linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL.
But after 9/11 American football star turned down a $3.6million three-year contract to join the US Army with his brother Kevin.
Tillman married his high school sweetheart Marie Ugenti before taking part in the invasion of Iraq as a US Ranger.
The sportsman-turned-soldier was later deployed to a forward operating base in Afghanistan.
On April 22, 2004 Tillman was initially reported to have been killed by enemy combatants.
The US Army claimed Tillman’s unit had been attacked in an ambush near the border with Pakistan.
But a probe by military cops, the Department of Defence and the US Congress found Tillman had actually been killed by friendly fire.
The investigation found Tillman was shot three times in the head at a distance of less than ten yards, with no evidence of enemy fire.
Top brass approved a Silver Star citation saying Tillman was killed by “devastating enemy fire” while covering up his true fate.
Tillman’s unit burned his body army and medal-stitched uniform in a bid to destroy evidence of the friendly fire killing.
The military also instructed Tillman’s comrades to lie to his family at his funeral.
One three-star general told investigators 70 times that he couldn’t remember his actions after lying to Tillman’s grieving parents.
Tillman may have recorded his thoughts on the Afghanistan war in his notebook – but it was burned in a “blatant” protocol breach.
Shortly before his death, war hero Tillman had described the Iraq war as “f***ing illegal”.
Investigative journalist Chris Matthews reported that Tillman’s death may have been a deliberate murder.
There were said to be fears among top brass that “poster child” recruit Tillman would speak out against America’s War on Terror.
Testifying before Congress, his brave mother Mary said: “The deception surrounding this case was an insult to the family.
“But more importantly, its primary purpose was to deceive a whole nation.”
