PRINCE Harry’s good work has been “drowned out” by recent controversies – which is why no one thinks he deserves a war hero award, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYS in Los Angeles last week for his work at Invictus Games.
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But due to his “confused” memoir, Saveand bombshell interview with Oprah in March 2021, how much he “deserves” the award is up for debate.
Harry’s acceptance sparked fierce criticism after former military chiefs previously urged him to reject the gong – while 70,000 people signed a petition to stop it.
The Pat Tillman Service Award is “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.
Royal expert Sarah Hewson believes Harry is “going to be really hurt” by the reaction to his win, as it comes from people he “respects”.
“I think he will be very hurt by the reaction to this award,” she told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive.
“What he did at the Invictus Games is extremely commendable; I think it was the best thing he did.
“This is his legacy project and there are so many people who would say he changed their lives, even saved their lives.”
Sarah noted that the backlash is “not from the usual suspects” – meaning it will carry more weight with the duke.
Instead, it comes from the mother of Pat Tillman — the war hero to whom the award is honored — and important military figures.
Mary Tilman previously said she believed there were others “much better suited” and with less “privilege” who could have won the gong.
“Prince Harry would respect their opinion,” Sarah explained. “People like Lord West, the former head of the Royal Navy, for example.
“They’re saying he should refuse, that he doesn’t deserve it – and it’s going to hurt him very, very much.”
Sarah believes Harry’s charity work, military service and position as Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation have been “drowned out” by recent controversies.
She cited her memoir “Changes,” Saveand March 2021 interview with Oprah, where he and his wife Meghan Markle made a series of shocking allegations.
Prince Harry’s Body Language Accepting War Hero’s Gong
PRINCE Harry was “terrified
“Harry’s body language during his acceptance speech on July 11 suggested he was fully aware of the criticisms that were being prepared before him,” said Judi James.
“Like any good A-list actor who receives an Oscar, he started out looking overwhelmed and shocked, with a good dose of humility.
“He posed looking straight ahead with a haunted, terrified expression, hunched over in what appeared to be performative disbelief.
“He called the presenters back to the stage to stand beside him, as if he was nervous about appearing alone and in need of company, and then rubbed his face and looked down, implying that he was overwhelmed.
“A strong exhale suggested a reset and then his tongue poke suggested reluctance.
“There was some postural awkwardness when he praised Tillman’s mother and one foot was lifted off the ground before he began to wobble slightly.”
Judi also highlighted “a shudder of shared emotion” as the father of two described the bond between mother and son as “eternal”.
The pair sparked a racial row by claiming 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 the good work he did was unfortunately overshadowed by the Oprah interview, Netflix series, Savedefamation,” 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 way of reaching people that others couldn’t – he had his mother’s touch in that sense.
Sarah Hewson
“And when we see him at the Invictus Games, you see the old Harry, the real Harry – he comes to life again.”
SaveHarry’s tell-all book, was ridiculed for its headline-grabbing claims about the senior royals.
Among these, William called 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 while the late Queen was dying.
The memoir has been the best-selling non-fiction book in the UK since records began.
Sarah believes that the events of recent years – including the publication of Save – also knocked Harry out of first place as “most popular member of the Royal Family”.
“He was seen as relatable,” she said.
“Yes, there were headlines about the party prince and everything, but that was part of his charm.
“He was an extremely powerful force within the Royal Family because of that ability to reach people that others could not.
“He had his mother’s touch in that sense.”
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