Prince Harry has copped further backlash over his Pat Tillman award nod from the ESPYs amid growing calls for broadcaster ESPN to rescind the honour ahead of the televised ceremony.
A royal expert has revealed Prince Harry is “bored” with life in America with Meghan Markle.
Author Tom Quinn has said the Duke of Sussex feels isolated after losing contact with his friends because they dislike the Duchess.
Quinn spoke to The Mirror about Harry’s situation and that his friends find Markle “difficult”.
“Harry is increasingly bored and looking back across the Atlantic where most of his army and school friends still live and whom he never sees because they won’t visit him in the States because they find Meghan difficult,” he said.
The author added the Duchess of Sussex feels she is attacked and that the couple are under serious strain.
Markle’s feelings come as the public continues to criticise the 42-year-old’s ventures and upcoming Netflix series.
“There is a growing rift between Harry and Meghan caused by Meghan’s increasing concern that her life is not going in the direction she had planned,” he said.
Harry, 39, will receive the gong – which is named in memory of late NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman – at this year’s ESPY Sports Awards on July 11 in recognition of his Invictus Games foundation.
However, the late soldier’s mother Mary Tillman slammed ESPN for honouring the Duke of Sussex and pointed out there were “more fitting” recipients for the award.
Mr Tillman abandoned his sports career and enlisted in the United States Army in May 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks but was tragically killed by “friendly fire” in 2004.
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” Ms Tillman told British newspaper the Daily Mail last week.
Harry will accept the prestigious Pat Tillman award at the ESPYs on Thursday. Picture by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Project Healthy Minds.
“There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”
On Tuesday, an unnamed palace insider added to the growing calls for ESPN to rescind the honour in line with the Tillman family’s wishes.
“I’m afraid it’s just a clear symbol of his desperate need for attention,” the source told the Daily Beast newspaper.
“The irony of the whole of the last four years is that Harry and Meghan said they were leaving the Royal Family so the media would leave them alone.”
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Harry’s latest award is named in honour of late NFL player and war veteran Pat Tillman. Picture: Plus via Williamson Stealth Media Solutions.
The Sussexes “stepped back” from royal duties four years ago and relocated to California but have continued to court media attention with TV specials, Netflix series and Harry’s memoir Spare.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are both widely tipped to attend Thursday’s televised award show in person, which will be broadcast in primetime on American network ABC.
Harry has also weathered speculation his wife Meghan Markle used her A-list friends to secure the award for her husband via tennis star Serena Williams.
Charlotte Griffiths suspects Meghan pulled strings to secure the award for Harry via her close friend (and ESPY host) Serena Williams. Picture by Daniele Venturelli/WireImage.
On Saturday, British newspaper editor and royal commentator Charlotte Griffiths alleged Meghan Markle may have stepped in to secure the award for Harry.
“Serena Williams is presenting the award and she’s a very good friend of Meghan Markle,” she said.
“I have to think, I have to wonder if Meghan’s got her fingerprints on this.”