Prince Harry Is Reportedly “Stunned” at the Negative Reaction to His ESPY Award Win, and Is Finding the Criticism a “Bitter Pill to Swallow”

As Thursday’s ESPYs ceremony approaches—where Prince Harry will be honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the L.A. event—Tatler reports that Harry is “stunned” at the negative reaction to his win, and finding it a “bitter pill to swallow.”

Following ESPN’s announcement that Harry had won the award—which is given annually to “a person with a strong connection to sports” and named in honor of Tillman, a former NFL player turned U.S. Army Ranger who died in 2004 in Afghanistan at just 27 years old—backlash ensued. Perhaps most surprisingly was condemnation from Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, who told The Daily Mail, among other comments, that she thought there were other “far more fitting” people who should have won the award.  

ESPN defended Harry, who is a veteran of the British Army—where he served for 10 years, including two tours in Afghanistan—and who founded the Invictus Games 10 years ago to help wounded, sick, and injured servicemen and servicewomen, both veterans and those still serving, find community through sport. The network said Harry was chosen for “his tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport.” After the backlash surrounding Harry’s selection, ESPN told TMZ Sports in a statement “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.”

Harry is reportedly saddened by the public’s reaction to his win, especially as it relates to his work with the military and with veterans—causes extremely close to his heart. “Harry’s legacy on Invictus, the things he has achieved—that’s his real passion,” a source told The Telegraph. “This is the space in which he truly feels at home. It is something he deeply cares about. The reaction certainly took the shine off the award.”

A television consultant that works for both Disney and ESPN said, per Tatler, that Harry’s involvement in the ESPYs would draw “insane eyeballs” to the televised show, adding that “the fact that so many people are talking about Harry and this honor will delight those at the top. They will stand firm on him getting it and also, behind closed doors, be excited that such a decision has prompted such interest in this night. Like it or loathe it, Harry draws interest.” 

Meghan Markle is rumored to be attending the ESPYs with her husband, which will be held in Los Angeles and hosted by Meghan’s longtime friend, Serena Williams. The awards will air this Thursday, July 11, at 8 p.m. on ABC.