PRINCE Harry is set to come face to face with Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce – after the NFL star hit it off with his estranged brother William.
The Duke of Sussex will be honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his work at Invictus Games at the glittering ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 11.
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The ESPY, the Oscars of American sports, will likely create an interesting moment with Kelce, who sources say was invited to the ceremony.
Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs were nominated for team of the year and his friend and quarterback Patrick Mahomes was nominated for best male athlete.
Kelce described William as “the coolest son of a bitch” after posing for a selfie with him, Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Swift’s Wembley concert last weekend.
He also said that “no other prince” is doing it like William, which some saw as a subtle dig at Harry.
Swift also has a history with the Sussexes after she refused to appear on Meghan’s Archetypes podcast last year.
Meghan is expected to join Harry at the star-studded event, hosted by the couple’s close friend and tennis ace Serena Williams.
A source said Harry will likely be “few feet away” from Kelce, adding: “It could be interesting given how well Travis got along with William.
“Travis is the most sociable, happy, lucky and kind person in any room and will definitely want to say hello to the Prince and interact with the Sussexes.
“That’s his style and, honestly, he’s one of the biggest names in American sports.
“For Harry, it could be a potentially awkward encounter, given that Travis spoke so warmly and praised William.
“This is going to make headlines no matter what.
“If Harry shirks Travis, it would seem strange and if they talk, the question will be whether they discussed William.”
For the past ten years, the Pat Tillman Service Award has been “given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman “, according to ESPN.
The award was presented to Harry “in honor of his tireless work in making a positive impact on the veteran community through the power of sport.”
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The Duke founded the Invictus Games a decade ago to support wounded and sick servicemen and women – both active duty and veterans.
Travis recently spoke about meeting Harry’s brother in London last weekend on his podcast.
He told listeners: “We met the royals, guys. There were royals on the show. I got there early and met Prince William. How about that? Your Royal Highness.”
He admitted he thought the prince was “so cool” but didn’t know how to address him.
What happened to Pat Tillman?
ESPN reported Tillman’s tragic death in 2014 as the 10th anniversary approached.
Tillman was a safety for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals for four seasons before joining the Army.
He enlisted eight months after 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Tillman, a California native, turned down a $3.6 million contract offer when he enlisted in the Army.
“The events that led to one of the most infamous friendly fire deaths in U.S. military history were fraught with questions from the beginning,” ESPN reported.
“After an Army Humvee broke down in the mountains, Tillman’s platoon was split up by superiors so the Humvee could be removed; a local truck driver was hired as the transporter.
“But the two groups struggled to communicate as they traversed the steep terrain. And the second group was soon caught in a deafening ambush, taking fire as it maneuvered along a narrow, rocky canyon trail.”
A squad leader would misidentify an allied Afghan soldier positioned next to Tillman as an enemy, according to ESPN.
Soldiers would shoot at what Army Ranger Steven Elliott called “grim images,” ESPN reported.
Travis said: “I wasn’t sure if I should bow to them, bow or just be an American idiot and shake their hand.
“Since we weren’t at an official, elegant royal event, we didn’t have to bow.
“If it had been an official royal reunion event, then that would have been it.”
William, who was celebrating his 42nd birthday, posted a selfie with the global superstar the next day with the caption: “Thank you Taylor Swift for a great night!”
Swift also shared a cute photo she took after the show with William, George, Charlotte and her football player boyfriend Travis.
She wrote: “Happy birthday M8! The London shows are off to a splendid start.”
Footage posted online showed William dancing in the crowd among thousands of fans as Swift sang her hit Shake It Off.
Past Pat Tillman Service Award honorees include
The Buffalo Bills (2023) coaching staff after Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field.
Retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans (2022) who founded Team Unbroken, an adaptive running team comprised primarily of veterans.
Marcus Rashford, Manchester United star (2021)
Healthcare professional and boxing champion Kim Clavel (2020)
Kristie Ennis, former Marine and founder of the Kristie Ennis Foundation (2019)
Navy-Marine Commendation Medal recipient, Sergeant and founder of Team Rubicon Jake Wood (2018)
Israel Del Toro, Purple Heart recipient and Invictus Games gold medalist (2017)
U.S. Army Sgt. and Invictus Games gold medalist Elizabeth Marks (2016)
Former Notre Dame basketball player, Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient Danielle Green (2015)
Josh Sweeney, US Paralympic gold medal sled hockey player and Purple Heart recipient (2014)
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
