Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Appear at the ESPY Awards
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the ESPY Awards ceremony, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in California. Meghan Markle, 42, appeared in a white dress and minimal jewelry: the outfit was complemented by a Cartier bracelet and several gold rings with diamonds.
Prince Harry, 39, received the Pat Tillman Award, named after the late NFL legend and US Army Ranger, at the ceremony. The award is traditionally given to "an individual with a strong connection to sport who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of Pat Tillman," and Prince Harry received it for his work with the Inviсtus Games, a competition for veterans that he founded.
Prince Harry's award has previously been controversial, with poet Tillman's mother Mary speaking out against it, saying she was shocked that her son's award would be given to "such a controversial and divisive figure." "There are people who are far more suited to this award. They don't have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has," she said. She was supported by journalists such as Piers Morgan, as well as military personnel, veterans and other members of the public.
A source close to the prince claims that Harry himself was upset by the criticism because he believes he deserves the award. The insider said he was "very sorry that there are people who don't appreciate it."
Many advised Prince Harry to turn down the award amid the scandal, but he did not. When accepting the award, he addressed Tillman's mother and said he understood her concerns. "Our protection of Pat's legacy is a deeply personal matter, one that I respect. The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the most difficult losses. I speak here not as Prince Harry, the Pat Tillman Award winner, but as a representative of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans from more than 20 countries who make the Invictus Games a reality. This award is theirs, not mine," he said from the stage.
As the tabloids note, Meghan Markle watched her husband "with pride."
Things haven't been going well for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped down from royal duties a few years ago and moved to the United States. Insiders say that despite Meghan's attempts to befriend the stars, they are not popular in Hollywood and are quickly losing friends.
According to sources, celebrities do not want to spoil relations with the royal family, with whom Harry has fallen out amid numerous scandals. Thus, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry and Meghan accused some members of the royal family of racism: allegedly, one of them made comments about the skin color of the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Later, Harry spoke about life in the royal family in his memoirs "Spare", which completely spoiled the relationship. Prince Harry was unable to improve relations with the family even after his father, King Charles III, was diagnosed with cancer. At the same time, there are rumors that King Charles would like to improve relations with his grandchildren on the side of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.