Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were all smiles at the 2024 ESPY Awards ceremony on Thursday night, where the Duke of Sussex received the prestigious Pat Tillman Service Award.
Prince Harry, 39, and Markle, 42, were sitting front row at ESPN’s 32nd annual ceremony honoring individual and team sporting achievements at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. During the ceremony, Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years, was recognized for his work in the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded soldiers that he founded in 2014.
Prior to the ESPYs, Prince Harry faced backlash for being named the recipient of the award named after fallen soldier and NFL prospect Tillman, but when he took the stage to accept his award he was greeted with cheers, applause and a standing ovation.
“I want to start by expressing my sincere gratitude to everyone at the Pat Tillman Foundation, led by Marie Tillman Shenton. I am honoured that Mary has been here with us tonight,” Prince Harry began, as the camera panned to Shenton, Tillman’s widow.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday night. (Getty)
He continued, “I also want to thank the Tillman family, especially Pat’s mother, Mrs. Mary Tillman. Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and I respect that. The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest loss.”
“The truth is, I stand not here as Prince Harry or the Pat Tillman Award recipient, but as a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service members from more than 20 countries who make the Invictus Games possible. This award belongs to them, not mine,” Prince Harry said.
“That being said, it’s so important to me that at every opportunity, but especially on nights like tonight, we honor the achievement, spirit and courage of these allies, athletes and their incredible families in front of people like you. Moments like these help Invictus reach those who need it most and reduce the number of veterans who take their own lives – more than 20 a day in this country alone.”
Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Service Award. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)
Prince Harry also said the foundation’s name comes from Latin words meaning “undefeated, indomitable,” and told the audience that former South African president Nelson Mandela said the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley “gave him the strength to endure nearly 30 years of imprisonment.”
“Like poetry, the spirit of the Invictus Games transcends race, time and borders,” he said. “It is born of unity and exudes purpose.”
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The Duke of Sussex received a standing ovation when he took to the stage. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)
The audience applauded and the camera panned to Markle, who clapped and smiled, while the royals pointed out that the Invictus Games recently celebrated their 10th anniversary.
“A lot of progress has been made since the first Games, but the world outside seems more unstable,” Harry said. “We live in a time that is marked by polarization and division. Conflicts are on the rise around the world. Anger and resentment towards those who are different seems to be pervasive in all societies. That is a challenge for our communities.”
“Our community is proof that unity is not only possible, but wonderful,” he added. “The beauty of the Invictus Games is that it brings people together, regardless of nationality, background or personal struggles.”
Prince Harry told the audience that Invictus service members “embodied the best in all of us,” quoting a Roman Latin military term that roughly translates to “leaving no one behind.”
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Prince Harry was recognized for his work with the Invictus Games Foundation. (Fraser Harrison/Getty Images)
The Duke of Sussex said the words held special meaning for the U.S. Army Rangers. Tillman, who left a lucrative NFL contract and a newlywed bride to join the Army after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was an Army Ranger at the time of his death. Tillman was killed in the mountains of Afghanistan in 2004 at age 27, in what was later revealed to be a case of friendly fire.
“I have no doubt that Mr. Tillman and his associates lived for those words,” Harry said, “so it’s fitting that I end with them.”
He concluded by saying, “On behalf of everyone at the Invictus Games Foundation, I promise you that no matter what the road ahead brings, we are here for you. No one will be left behind. Thank you.”
The 2024 ESPY ceremony was hosted by Markle’s friend, tennis star Serena Williams, who began the ceremony by jokingly encouraging the royal couple, “Prince Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight.”
“Tonight is my night and I don’t want it to be overshadowed by accusations that you guys are consuming too much oxygen, OK?” she said, as the camera panned to a laughing Prince Harry and Ms Markle.
The ceremony was hosted by Meghan Markle’s friend and tennis icon Serena Williams (right). (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)
Prince Harry’s thanks to Tillman’s mother are notable because Mary spoke out against Harry’s award when it was first announced last month.
Mary claimed she was never consulted about the decision to give the honour to Harry.
“I am shocked as to why they chose such a controversial and divisive person as the recipient,” the matriarch said. British Daily Mail.
Host Serena Williams offered a humorous shout-out to the royal couple. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)
“There are much more deserving recipients,” she said, “people who work in the veterans community and do amazing things to support veterans.”
Mary pointed out that ESPN should have chosen someone who hadn’t been in the spotlight before and highlighted their heroic efforts.
“I’ve said everything I wanted to say on this matter,” Mary told Fox News Digital.
The Pat Tillman Foundation, with which Mary is not affiliated, has selected the laureate since the award was established in 2014. Mary has never been consulted or privy to the award.
Pat Tillman died at age 27 while serving in Afghanistan. (Jean Lauer/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Prince Harry paid tribute to his mother, Mary, who previously opposed Duke Pat Tillman receiving the honour. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games Foundation, which has promoted healing through the power of sport for military personnel and veterans around the world, and is particularly proud to recognize Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, for his work with the Foundation,” an ESPN spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“We understand that not everyone will agree with the winners selected, but the Invictus Games Foundation is doing great work and ESPN believes it’s work worth celebrating.”
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Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this report.
