Prince Harry has suffered a blow as the Duke of Sussex’s latest award “raises questions about the decision-making process”, according to a royal commentator.
The Duke of Sussex is set to be given the memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman in Hollywood next month.
Tillman gave up a lucrative career in the NFL to enlist as an Army Ranger in 2002.
The US war hero served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004.
Tillman’s mother Mary criticised the decision to give the award to Prince Harry in a strongly-worded statement, branding the royal “controversial and divisive”.
Gareth Russell, a royal commentator, spoke exclusively to GB News to explain whether it was right to award the Duke of Sussex.
He said: “It will be up to the committee or whoever it is who runs the Pat Tillman Award. But obviously it is an incredibly emotional and heartfelt response from Tillman’s mother.
“I would think many people would question whether it should go to Prince Harry, or if there had been a discussion beforehand that Tillman’s mother was or wasn’t involved in.
Prince Harry will be awarded an ESPY for his work with the Invictus GamesGetty“Maybe it’s a reminder that if this is an award named after someone and their immediate loved ones are still alive, that really you should be including them in the decision-making process.
“It’s quite a strong statement for a mother to make. And obviously this award and everything it stands for will mean a huge amount to Mrs Tillman.
“So it raises questions about why was this not discussed with her before the award announcement was made.
“It’s easier to have a discussion before a nomination.
Prince Harry is set to be honoured with the Pat Tillman AwardGetty“It’s trickier to do it after the announcement, but certainly it seems that she she feels very, very strongly about this and it is named after her son, after all.”
In a statement, Mary Tillman said: “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.
“There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.
“These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised.”
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Mary Tillman has spoken out against the duke’s nomination
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A petition has since been launched demanding 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”.
The petition says “awarding this honour to someone who does not reflect the award’s intent diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman’s memory.”
A source said regarding the decision to honour Prince Harry: “It’s incredibly hurtful that the family had no say in this.
“Pat Tillman was a unifying force for good. Harry is divisive… There are many unsung heroes who are far more deserving.”