Prince Harry shared a touching gesture to wounded soldiers at the ESPYs on Thursday.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the recent event. The special award is presented to an individual who has used their connection to the spring industry to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Harry’s latest award is named after the NFL player and American army Ranger, Pat Tillman.
Harry who in 2020 stepped down as a senior working royal was presented the award for his contributions to the veteran community with the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014. The Afghanistan veteran created the competition for soldiers who had been left wounded, injured and sick after serving in the military.
During his outing, Harry was joined by his wife, Meghan Markle, 42, who proudly sat alongside her husband. But while Harry stood on stage to accept his award at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Meghan beamed from ear to ear as she stood up and applauded him during his speech.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex watched on proudly as Prince Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service (
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Getty Images for W+P)
The Duke of Sussex was honoured for his work with The Invictus Games (
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GC Images)
“You need to be with me,” he said, as he insisted that the Invictus Athletes stayed on stage with him. Speaking on stage, the Duke said: “The truth is, I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality.
“This award belongs to them, not me. That said, it is of great importance to me to highlight these allies, athletes and their amazing families for their achievements, their spirit, and their courage at every opportunity, especially on nights like this, in front of people like you. Moments like these help us reach those that need Invictus the most and reduce the more than 20 veterans a day taking their own lives, in this country alone.”
This year, the Invictus Games celebrates its tenth anniversary, with Harry stating that although a lot of progress has been made, there is still a long way to go. “We live in an age marked by polarization and division,” he said. He went on to add: “Conflicts rage around the globe. Anger and resentment towards those who are different seem to pervade societies everywhere.”
The King’s son also made reference to his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales during his acceptance speech. He expressed his “deepest gratitude” to those at the Pat Tillman Foundation which is led by Marie Tillman Shelton. “I’d also like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mrs. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother,” Harry said.
Dad-of-two Harry continued: “Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect. The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.” Harry was just 12 when his mother died after a horrific car crash while in Paris with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed.
