Prince Harry's acceptance of the Pat Tillman Award at the recent ESPY Awards has ignited a storm of criticism and brought to light his ongoing struggle for validation. According to Richard Kay, a close confidant of Princess Diana, the Duke of Sussex appears to be "feeling lost" and is seeking affirmation through his military connections. This revelation comes in the wake of Harry's controversial nomination for the award, which honors individuals who exemplify service and leadership, and has sparked debates over his worthiness as a recipient.
In a candid discussion on the "Palace Confidential" podcast, Kay shared his insights on Harry's current state. "It kind of feels like it's been that way for the last four years. He wanted to break away, he did break away, he turned his back on service, but he's sort of umbilically linked to that same cause because he needs to validate himself," Kay remarked. This sentiment echoes the complex relationship Harry has with his past military service and his present endeavors.
Harry, who served in the British Armed Forces from 2005 to 2015, has often been seen as someone who found his true calling in the military. Kay, along with other royal analysts, believes that his time in uniform and fighting on the front lines was "his life's passion." Despite his significant contributions, the constant reminder of his military connection has become a point of contention for many who feel that he chose financial gain and a break from royal tradition over continued service.
The Duke of Sussex's journey took a pivotal turn in 2016 when he met American actress Meghan Markle. Their whirlwind romance, marriage, and eventual departure from Britain and the monarchy, famously dubbed "Megxit," dramatically altered Harry's life. "Megxit was one thing - an easy thing to apologize for at some point, but the Oprah sit-down, the documentary, and the book - Harry's life as a royal is completely finished," a palace insider shared, highlighting the irreversible impact of their choices.
The Pat Tillman Award, named after the late NFL player and Army Ranger who was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2004, is meant to honor those who exemplify service and leadership. While Harry's Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, align with these values, some critics argue that his nomination was undeserved. Tillman's mother, Mary, expressed her disapproval, stating that "there are recipients that are far more fitting" than Prince Harry, who has also faced backlash for his candid revelations about his family in his bestselling book.
Despite the controversy, Harry used his platform at the ESPY Awards to shift the focus from himself to the participants of the Invictus Games. "I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality," he said. "This award belongs to them, not to me."
The criticism and backlash have not gone unnoticed. Richard Kay pointed out that Harry's continued reliance on his military past for validation might be seen as a way to cope with the attention and the ongoing scrutiny. "From what I remember, Harry was always an extremely private person, so I'm not sure how he'll feel about that, but I can imagine his way of coping with the attention is to carry on as normal," Kay shared. He added that Harry "would never want to cause any upset" and might reconsider his actions if they were to cause significant backlash.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been attempting to "reinvent" themselves since their move to Montecito. Meghan has recently launched her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, while Harry continues to promote the Invictus Games. Their efforts also included a visit to Nigeria, which was described as an "unofficial royal tour."
Collecting the Pat Tillman Award, Harry paid tribute to his mother and reiterated his commitment to the Invictus Games Foundation. "This award belongs to them, not to me," he asserted, aiming to deflect the spotlight from himself to the cause he passionately supports.
