Prince Harry has come under fire for his decision to wear an assortment of British Army medals while presenting the prestigious "Soldier of the Year" award to US combat medic Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks from his Montecito mansion via Zoom. The Duke of Sussex, who served in the UK armed forces for 10 years, including two tours in Afghanistan, pinned four medals to his chest: an Afghanistan campaign medal and three Jubilee medals presented to him by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Critics on social media were quick to label the Jubilee medals as "participation medals" and questioned the choice of having Harry present the award to an American soldier. One person complained, "We didn't have an American Veteran who could do this?!" while another claimed the medals looked "ridiculous" and called the decision "embarrassing."
However, some defenders pointed out that one of the medals was presented to Harry for his service in Afghanistan, while others were quick to note that Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks had participated in the Invictus Games in 2016, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women founded by Prince Harry. "I remember her from the Invictus Games in 2016! Very special that he presented the award to her after all these years," one social media user commented.
Royal observers also noted the absence of the Coronation medal, given to Harry and others who were involved in King Charles' formal ascension to the throne last May, from the prince's lapels. Experts believe this absence could be a deliberate snub to his father, with royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams telling Newsweek, "The Sussexes do nothing by chance and this clearly emphasises or is intended to emphasise his distance from the royal family."
Fitzwilliams added, speaking to The Sun, "The Sussexes are well aware that every single thing they do, everything they wear, everything they say, is all going to be examined. The problem is that if he chooses not to wear the coronation medal, it will certainly be seen as a snub to King Charles."
Representatives for the Duke of Sussex declined to comment.
The medals worn by Harry during the presentation match those he chose to wear while attending the Coronation, where he was not allowed to attend the festivities in military dress after stepping back from royal duties, a privilege reserved for working members of the family.
In the video, Harry paid tribute to Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks, whom he described as a "friend" and a "beacon of inspiration," as he congratulated her on the prize. Marks, a four-time Invictus Games gold medalist and five-time Paralympic medalist, suffered bilateral hip injuries while deployed in Iraq in 2010 after joining the military at just 17 years old.
Harry praised Marks for her courage, resilience, and determination, stating that she "epitomises the courage, resilience and determination represented across our service community." He also commended her for overcoming numerous obstacles and turning her pain into purpose, inspiring and assisting others in their mental and physical journey into sport.
The presentation of the Soldier of the Year award appeared to be heavily stage-managed, with Harry delivering a pre-recorded message from the back door of his Montecito mansion. The choice of medals worn by the Duke of Sussex has sparked a debate among critics and defenders, with some questioning the appropriateness of wearing British Army medals while presenting an award to an American soldier, while others recognize the significance of Harry's military service and his connection to Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks through the Invictus Games.
