PRINCE Harry’s good work has been “drowned out” by recent controversies – and that’s why nobody thinks he deserves a war hero award, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex was honoured with the Pat Tillman Award for Service gong at the 2024 ESPYS in LA last week for his Invictus Games work.
But due to his “mudslinging” memoir, Spare, and bombshell Oprah interview in March 2021, how much he “deserves” the award has been up for debate.
Harry’s acceptance sparked strong criticism after ex-military chiefs previously urged him to reject the gong – while a whopping 70,000 people signed a petition to stop it.
The Pat Tillman Award for Service is “given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and US Army Ranger, Pat Tillman”, according to ESPN.
Royal expert Sarah Hewson believes Harry is “going to be very stung” by the backlash to his win as it’s coming from people he “respects”.
“I think he’s going to be very stung by the backlash to this award,” she told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive.
“What he has done through the Invictus Games is extremely laudable; I think it’s the best thing that he has done.
“This is his legacy project and there are so many people that would say he has changed their lives, even saved their lives.”
Sarah noted that the backlash “isn’t coming from the usual suspects” – meaning it will carry more weight for the Duke.
It is instead coming from Pat Tillman’s mother – the war hero that the award is in honour of – and senior military figures.
Mary Tilman previously said she believed there were others “far more fitting” and with less “privilege” who could have won the gong.
“Prince Harry would respect their opinion,” Sarah explained. “The likes of Lord West, the former Head of the Royal Navy, for example.
“They’re saying he should turn this down, that he doesn’t deserve it – and that’s really, really going to sting for him.”
Sarah believes that Harry’s charitable work, military service and position as Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation have been “drowned out” by recent controversies.
She cited his “mudslinging” memoir, Spare, and March 2021 interview with Oprah, where he and wife Meghan Markle made a series of shocking allegations.
“Harry’s body language during his acceptance speech on July 11 suggested his complete awareness of the criticism that had been brewing prior to it,” Judi James said.
“Like any good A-list actor accepting an Oscar, he began by looking overwhelmed and shocked though, with a good dollop of humble thrown in.
“He posed staring ahead with a haunted and terrified-looking eye expression, standing hunched in what looked like performative disbelief.
“He called the presenters back on stage to stand with him as though nervous about appearing alone and needing company and then he rubbed his face and looked down, hinting he was overwhelmed.
“A loud puffing exhale suggested a re-boot and then his tongue-poke hinted at reluctance.
“There was some postural awkwardness as he praised Tillman’s mother and one foot was lifted off the ground before he started to sway slightly.”
Judi also highlighted “an eye-wince of shared emotion” as the dad-of-two described the bond between mother and son and “eternal”.
The pair sparked a race row by alleging an unnamed member of the Royal Family spoke about “how dark his (Archie’s) skin might be when he’s born”.
During the interview, Meghan also said she was prevented from seeking mental health support when she was in crisis.
“All of the good work he has done is unfortunately overshadowed by the Oprah interview, Netflix series, Spare, the mudslinging,” Sarah continued.
“Unfortunately, those are the noises that are much, much louder in this.
Prince Harry was an extremely powerful force within the Royal Family because of that knack of reaching people that others couldn’t – he had his mother’s touch in that way
Sarah Hewson
“And when we see him at the Invictus Games, you see the old Harry, the true Harry – he comes to life again.”
Spare, Harry’s tell-all tome, was derided for his headline-grabbing claims about senior royals.
Among these William calling Meghan “difficult” and “rude”, the King being jealous of the Prince and Princess of Wales and that Charles refused to allow Meghan to join him in Scotland as the late Queen was dying.
The memoir was the fastest-selling non-fiction book in the UK since records began.
Sarah believes the events of recent years – including the publication of Spare – also threw Harry off first-place as the “most popular Royal Family member”.
“He was seen as relatable,” she said.
“Yes, there were the headlines about the party prince and whatever, but it was part of his charm.
“He was an extremely powerful force within the Royal Family because of that knack of reaching people that others couldn’t.
“He had his mother’s touch in that way.”
