Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have attended the annual ESPY Sport Awards where tennis legend Serena Williams decided to make a sly jibe at the couple over the amount of attention they receive.
Prince Harry has come under fire for accepting the prestigious Pat Tillman Award which he will receive at the ESPYs.
The award is named after former NFL player Pat Tillman who left the league to fight in Afghanistan after the events of 9/11 and unfortunately died in service.
However, the mother of Pat Tillman has criticised ESPN for nominating Prince Harry as the recipient of the award.
“She was very honest … she didn’t think that Harry was a worthy recipient,” Skynews.com.au Digital Reporter Reilly Sullivan told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power.
“She thinks that there’s a lot of other people out there doing a lot of work with veterans and devoting their time to veterans who would be a better fit for the award.”
The pair attended the glamorous event on Thursday evening local time at the Dolby Theatre where Harry received the Pat Tillman Award – named after a NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger – in recognition of the Prince’s Invictus Games foundation.
Tennis legend Serena Williams, who was hosting the event, gave a shoutout to the couple from onstage which was followed by a witty remark poking fun at their ability to attract attention easily.
“It’s … actually only pretty often that I get to be in a room with actual royalty, and tonight is no exception, Prince Harry and Meghan are here,” she said.
“Please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight, because this is my night.
Harry and Meghan attended the ESPY Sport Awards where the Duke received an honour named after Pat Tillman. Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P.
Harry sported a suit with a black tie while Meghan donned a white halter dress with her slicked back into a bun. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.
“And I don’t want to be overshadowed by the accusations that you guys are taking up too much oxygen, OK?”
The sporting icon is a good friend of Meghan, having first met her at the 2010 Super Bowl and attending the couple’s lavish wedding in 2018.
Harry and Meghan seemed to take the joke in good spirits as they were seen laughing along with the audience.
As Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award he acknowledged the “eternal bond” he shared with his mother Princess Diana.
Addressing the late soldier’s mother Mary Tillman – who has strongly opposed ESPN’s decision to honour the Duke with her son’s award– he expressed admiration for her advocacy work.
Harry and Meghan laughed along as they were given special mention. Picture: ESPN.
Tennis legend Serena Williams, who is also a longtime friend of Meghan’s, hosted this year’s event. Picture: ESPN.
“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,” he said.
“The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
The comments come after the Duke’s decision to accept the award sparked enormous backlash, with Ms Tillman slamming ESPN over the move and arguing there were more fitting recipients.
She told the Daily Mail last month she was “shocked” the award would go to “such a controversial and divisive figure”.
“There are recipients that are far more fitting,’ Ms Tillman said.
Harry’s latest award is named in honour of late NFL player and war veteran Pat Tillman. Picture: Plus via Williamson Stealth Media Solutions.
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“These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has.”
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.
ESPN’s decision prompted others to speak out with royal biographer Hugo Vickers arguing Harry “doesn’t need” the ESPY award, which is traditionally handed out to current and former professional athletes.
“I think what he did with the Invictus Games was brilliant and I am glad he is still doing things for them (but) the problem is it gets tied up with this need for reinvention, publicity, which they’re always doing,” he told The Sun’s Matt Wilkinson on his Royal Exclusive show on Wednesday.
“I feel sorry for Harry because he looks unhappy, I think he is out of his depth if I am to be honest.”