Meghan Markle, Prince Harry attend 2024 ESPY Awards despite controversy

LOS ANGELES: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended the 2024 ESPY Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles despite huge controversy.

The annual ceremony was hosted by tennis champion Serena Williams. The Duchess of Sussex attended the awards ceremony to support Prince Harry as he received the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service.

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The award is named after the late American football player and military man Pat Tillman. It honours people who have demonstrated “exceptional service, leadership, and community involvement”.

Prince Harry was recognised for founding the Invictus Games Foundation, which supports wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women through adaptive sports.

Serena Williams acknowledged the royal couple’s presence in her opening monologue. “Prince Harry and Meghan are here. Let’s give it up for them. But please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight”, she quipped.

Despite Serena Williams’ lighthearted remark, the ESPY Awards ceremony encountered controversy. The announcement that Prince Harry would receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service drew criticism from Mary Tillman, mother of Pat Tillman.

She expressed disappointment, arguing that other people within the US military veterans’ community were more deserving of the award. In response, ESPN, the network organizing the ESPY Awards, defended their decision.

The channel cited Harry’s significant impact through his work with the Invictus Games Foundation over the past decade.

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle stood by her husband throughout the event, showing support amidst the mixed reactions to his recognition.

During his acceptance speech, Prince Harry addressed the controversy surrounding the award with humility. He acknowledged the criticisms and even redirected the spotlight to the veterans and service personnel associated with the Invictus Games.

Prince Harry stated that the award was not about him personally, but rather a recognition of the collective efforts of everyone involved in the success and impact of the Invictus Games Foundation worldwide.

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The Duke of Sussex delivered a speech focused on unity and inclusivity in an increasingly divided world. He stated that the Invictus Games served as a good example of how sports could unite people from diverse nationalities, backgrounds, and personal challenges.

In his address, the Duke of Sussex talked about the importance of supporting and celebrating the resilience of people who embody the spirit of service and determination.