Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have found themselves at the center of yet another controversy, this time surrounding the Duke’s recent acceptance of a prestigious award. Meanwhile, the couple’s search for a new school for their children has also raised eyebrows, and reports of potential marriage troubles have added to the ongoing drama surrounding the Sussexes.
Recently, Prince Harry was awarded the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPY Awards ceremony. The award is typically given to “individuals with a strong connection to the military who have served others with integrity and courage.” However, the decision to honor the Duke of Sussex has sparked outrage, particularly from the family of the award’s namesake.
Pat Tillman was a U.S. soldier who was killed in Afghanistan, and the award was created to recognize individuals who have made a positive impact on the veteran community. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, expressed her shock and disappointment at Harry receiving the award, stating that “some recipients are far more fitting” and that “there are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”
The public has also voiced their displeasure, with a petition on Change.org urging ESPN to reconsider the decision gathering over 70,000 signatures. Supporters of the petition argue that Harry, with his wealth and privilege, is not the most deserving recipient, and that there are “individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans” who should be recognized instead.
In addition to the controversy surrounding Harry’s award, the Sussexes have also faced criticism for their search for a new school for their children, Archie and Lilibet. Reports suggest that the couple is considering several high-profile institutions, including one that has drawn significant backlash due to its alleged ties to racism and discrimination.
The Sussexes’ decision to explore these options has been met with raised eyebrows, as many feel that the couple should be more mindful of the potential impact of their choices on their children’s well-being and development.
Adding to the ongoing drama, there have been reports of potential marital troubles between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. According to royal experts, the Duke has even expressed a desire to return to the UK alone, leaving his wife behind.
These rumors of discord within the Sussexes’ relationship have further fueled the already intense public scrutiny and speculation surrounding the couple’s personal life.
Despite their efforts to create a more private life for themselves and their children in Montecito, California, the Sussexes continue to find themselves at the center of intense media attention and public criticism. The couple’s every move, decision, and even award acceptance is closely monitored and scrutinized, often leading to controversy and backlash.
Prince Harry criticized for receiving prestigious Pat Tillman Award
ESPY said Harry was honored for his “tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport” with the Invictus Games he created years ago. The award has previously been given to unsung heroes – but the fact that Prince Harry got it this year doesn’t sit well with everyone.
Pat Tillman was a US soldier killed in Afghanistan, for whom the award has been named. Not long after the Duke was awarded the honor, Tillman’s mother, Mary, criticizes Harry for getting it in the first place.
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. Some recipients are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans,” she told the Daily Mail.
The public has been enraged with Harry receiving the award, and a petition on Change.org urging ESPN to reconsider the decision gathered over 70,000 signatures.
“These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised.”
A spokesman for ESPY answered, “While we understand not everyone will agree with all honourees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work, and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”
“The reaction certainly took the shine off the award”
The Telegraph reports that Harry is stunned by the backlash. The newspaper’s source says that the fact that Harry has been criticized for his work with veterans has been a “particularly bitter pill to swallow.” It could even cause him problems in the future as he “seeks to build a career upon the foundations of his past military endeavours.”
“Harry’s legacy on Invictus, the things he has achieved, that’s his real passion. 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,” the source added.
Harry is set to receive his award on Thursday. In addition to the thousands of people who signed the petition for Harry not to receive the Pat Tillman Award, US commentator Lee Cohen also believes the choice is wrong. In an opinion piece for The Sun, Cohen writes that Harry is insulting veterans since he abandoned his country.
“The idea of rewarding a Royal Prince who abandoned his duty and capitalized on his title for personal gain is an affront to the legacy of Pat Tillman and is even more misplaced than ludicrously naming Harry a “Legend of Aviation,’” Cohen said.
“More discretion must be exhibited in the selection of award recipients, ensuring that they truly represent the values and qualities embodied by the award. To do otherwise is quite frankly offensive and ridiculous.”
While one source says Harry is stunned by the backlash, royal expert Grant Harrold, who worked as a butler to King Charles, told the New York Post that the Duke is not only sad about it but is also considering his options.
“It’s interesting that Harry’s nod has ruffled feathers. From my point of view, it’s a bit confusing,” Harrold said, adding that Harry might consider declining the award.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s marriage
He concluded that Harry is “one of the most caring, kindest and most gentle people you could ever meet,” so he’s “feeling quite sad about it.”
“He’d never want to cause any upset,” Harrold added. “If he thinks that it is going to cause upset, then it is quite likely that he could decline the award . . . because he’d never want to cause any upset and it would affect him hearing about the backlash.”
Although Harry might have caught himself in plenty of trouble because of the award, things are not as they are supposed to at home. At least, that is what several royal experts and newspaper sources claim.
Harry has several friends in the US, but after living there for a while, he might have changed his mind about whether it’s the right place to be.
According to Tom Quinn, Harry misses his army and college friends dearly. Sadly, they haven’t visited him in California because “they don’t get on with Meghan.” As a result, it’s been reported that the Duke is now looking for a “permanent” home in the UK.
“As time goes by, Harry misses some aspects of his old life in the UK. Inevitably, the honeymoon period where everything in the States is new and exciting is coming to an end and Harry is looking back at the past through rose-tinted spectacles,” Quinn claimed.
He added: “He misses his Old Etonian and army friends, many of whom have not visited as they don’t get on with Meghan. Harry is determined to find his own permanent home in the UK, which is partly why he’s continuing his legal action to get the British taxpayer to pay for his security.”
Prince Harry “petrified” of losing Meghan
The Sussexes’ feud with the royal family has created wounds that might never be able to heal. Only one royal, Princess Eugenie, is said to have visited Harry and Meghan in the US. While King Charles is reportedly considering a visit, the odds of Prince William and Kate Middleton traveling to Montecito are very low.
The Duke is, as mentioned, rumored to be looking for a permanent home in the UK. Royal expert Hugo Vickers, author of Prince Edward’ ‘s 2022 memoir A Royal Life, predicts that Harry will return to live in the UK permanently – but not with his wife. ‘s 2022 memoir A Royal Life, predicts that Harry will return to live in the UK permanently – but not with his wife.
Speaking with The Sun, Vickers described Harry as an “angry” person who is “petrified” of losing Meghan. Even so, the royal expert claimed Harry will return to the UK.
“I think he’ll come home,” he told The Sun. “I think he’ll come home, and if he comes home, we must be very nice to him because he won’t particularly want to. He’s quite angry, I think.”
Vickers added that if Harry returned, King Charles would welcome him with open arms and let him back into the royal family as a working member.
“The king has left the door wide open for him to do that, and he was doing such a good job before, and … he looked so happy,” the royal expert continued. “Usually, you’re happy when you’re doing your duty and you’re doing it for other people and you’re putting things into life.”
“There is a growing rift between Harry and Meghan”
He concluded, “If you’re taking things out of life, at the risk of getting a lot of hate mail, I personally think that he looks like he’s petrified of losing her [Meghan] and looks slightly petrified of her.”
Harry and Meghan have loved the spotlight. The Duchess is said to want to be part of the Hollywood elite but reports state that many celebrities and former friends of the couple don’t want anything to do with them anymore. As Harry and Meghan’s experiences of US and Hollywood life are very different, royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror that the Sussexes are facing a stark reality check, which is putting pressure on their relationship.
“There is a growing rift between Harry and Meghan caused by Meghan’s increasing concern that her life is not going in the direction she had planned,” Quinn said. “She loves media attention and hates that surveys suggest she and Harry are no longer of much interest to the American public.”
“With news that the couple’s Netflix contract may be under threat, along with the mockery that greeted the launch of her online brand, Meghan feels very much under siege,” he added.
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