Meghan Markle May Join Prince Harry At 2024 ESPYs To Accept Pat Tillman Award Despite Major Backlash
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could make a joint appearance at the 2024 ESPY Awards.
The Duke of Sussex is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday. Gareth Russell, a historian, author and royal commentator, weighed in on the possibility of Markle joining her husband at the event despite the intense backlash he received for being the recipient of the award this year. Russell believes Markle could join her husband at the awarding ceremony.
"It's certainly a big celebrity event, and that's, of course, the environment in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are circulating at the moment," Russell told GB News. "She has accompanied him to events similar to this in the past, so it's possible that she'll be there. Certainly, it's a very high-profile event, I imagine, for many in America."
When ESPN announced that Prince Harry is this year's recipient of the Pat Tillman Award, many people expressed their dismay and disapproval, including Tillman's mom, Mary. According to her, other individuals were more deserving of the recognition.
"I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award," Mary told the Daily Mail. "There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans."
A petition was also launched, calling out ESPN to reconsider its decision to give the award to Prince Harry. It has already received over 70,000 signatures. However, ESPN defended its decision to choose the Duke of Sussex. The organization focused on his military service and the Invictus Games he founded for the wounded veterans, servicemen and women.
"ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honouring 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," the organization said.
"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."
Meanwhile, Michael Cole, a former BBC journalist and royal commentator, offered two options for Prince Harry amid the major backlash he's been receiving over the award. He suggested that Prince Harry decline the award or not accept it in person.
"I would say that he should either politely decline the award because it is so controversial, or he should not accept it in person because we don't want to see him being booed," Cole suggested.
