Prince Harry urged to ‘politely decline’ ESPY Award as people don't want to ‘see him being booed’

Prince Harry has received a grave warning after he was shocked at the backlash he faced over the Pat Tillman Award for Service that he is set to be handed.

Published on: Jul 9, 2024, 13:25:03 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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Prince Harry has received a grave warning after he was shocked at the backlash he faced over the Pat Tillman Award for Service that he is set to be handed. Royal commentator Michael Cole has warned Harry that his "actions have consequences." Harry has also been asked to “politely decline the award.”

Prince Harry urged to ‘politely decline’ ESPY Award (REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo) (REUTERS)

"We know that Prince Harry did a great job in setting up the Invictus, meaning unconquered games after he'd seen the warrior games in America,” Cole said on GB News. "We know that he served nobly and valiantly in Afghanistan as a commander of an Apache attack helicopter. Commendations are due there.”

Cole continued, “We know that what's gone on and in America, you know, the late Queen was held in high, high regard. A lot of people have been saying where is the service of Prince Harry? He's turned against his commander-in-chief, his father.”

"He said some very unbalanced and unkind things about the Princess of Wales and indeed his brother. So 68,000 people signed a petition for the award that should be given on Thursday night,” he added.

Controversy around Prince Harry getting the award

Harry will get the award "in honour of his tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport." However, the decision has created controversy as many believe the Duke of Sussex is not worthy of the honour.

"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 said.

The award was named after footballer Pat Tillman, who gave up his career in sports to serve in the military after 9/11. He was later killed in Afghanistan. Even Tilman's mother, Mary, has criticised the decision, saying she was “shocked” that “such a controversial and divisive individual” was getting the award.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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