Prince Harry has been pictured smiling alongside a former Pat Tillman award recipient who leapt to the Duke of Sussex’s defence.

The royal received the memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman at a glitzy event in Los Angeles.

Pat Tillman gave up a lucrative career in the NFL to enlist as an Army Ranger in 2002 and served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004.

The decision to nominate Prince Harry for the award sparked a furious backlash with over 70,000 signing a petition calling for the move to be reversed.

Prince Harry has been pictured smiling alongside a former Pat Tillman award recipient who leapt to the Duke of Sussex’s defence.

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The petition demanded ESPN rethink their decision, claiming the Duke of Sussex had been “involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude”.

Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, also hit out at Prince Harry, labelling the royal “divisive”.

However, Jake Wood, a former Pat Tillman Award recipient defended the decision to select Prince Harry for the award, saying: “He’s a royal prince, there are 100 different things he could have done with his life after his service in the British Armed Forces but he’s chosen to dedicate a big portion of his post-military life to helping veterans.”

Last night, Prince Harry posed alongside Jake Wood at the ESPN event in Los Angeles.

The royal received the memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman at a glitzy event in Los Angeles.

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The duo were photographed alongside Wood’s wife, India Petersons, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood where the award ceremony was held.

It comes as a source told The Telegraph that Harry had been left stunned by the backlash to his nomination.

The source said: “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.”

Meghan Markle joined her husband at the award ceremony

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During his acceptance speech, the royal addressed Pat Tillman’s mother Mary following her criticism of him.

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During his acceptance speech, the royal addressed Pat Tillman’s mother Mary following her criticism of him.

Harry said: “I’d also like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother – her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect.

“The truth is I stand here not as Prince Harry Pat Tillman Award recipient but rather as a voice on behalf of the Invictus Game Foundation.”

He continued: “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 to me.

“It is of great importance to me to highlight these allies 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.”