Prince Harry Makes Surprise Appearance at Tillman Honors After ESPYs

prince harry makes surprise appearance at tillman honors
Prince Harry (PH๏τo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at the annual Tillman Honors gala in Chicago this week after previously accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service in July.

The Duke of SusSєx, 40, joined 40 Tillman Scholars, Israel Del Toro, retired NFL quarterback Jake Plummer and Pat Tillman Foundation CEO Dr. Katherine Steele for a leadership development session ahead of the prestigious charity dinner, held on Wednesday, November 6.

At the dinner, which celebrates former Arizona Cardinal and military member Pat Tillman’s enduring legacy, Harry was seated next to Marie Tillman Shenton.

Following the event, the Pat Tillman Foundation shared video highlights from the gala via its official Instagram account, which featured snippets of Prince Harry in attendance.

Prince Harry Duke of SusSєx accepts the Pat Tillman Award onstage during the 2024 ESPY Awards 712

Related: Prince Harry Emotionally Accepts ESPY Award for Service After Controversy

Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards despite the backlash surrounding the honor. The Duke of SusSєx, 39, accepted the award at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 11. He began his acceptance speech by thanking Marie Tillman Shenton, cofounder of the Tillman Foundation and […]

“Thanks to everyone’s generous support, we are thrilled to report that we raised over $1M to support our Tillman Scholars!” the caption read.

In July, Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards —an award given to an individual with a strong connection to sports who has helped others in a way that honors Tillman’s legacy.

Tillman, who was a safety for the Arizona Cardinals from 1998 to 2001, was killed in combat while serving as a U.S. Army Ranger in Afghanistan in 2004. Tillman was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for leading his unit in a successful rescue during his service.

prince-harry-makes-surprise-appearance-at-tillman-honors-2161690031.jpg
Prince Harry. (PH๏τo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Harry received the honor in recognition of his 10 years of service in the British Armed Forces and for cofounding the Invictus Games, an international event in which active and veteran service members who have been wounded, injured or sick compete in various sporting events.

However, the decision to choose Prince Harry as this year’s recipient faced some backlash — most notably from Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman.

“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” she told the Daily Mail in June. “There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to ᴀssist veterans.”

She added: “These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Prince Harry's ESPY Award Draws Backlash from Pat Tillman's Mother- ‘I Am Shocked’

Related: Prince Harry’s Honorary ESPY Award Draws Backlash from Pat Tillman’s Mom

Prince Harry is set to receive a major honor at this year’s ESPY Awards — but not everybody is supportive of the acknowledgment.  The Duke of SusSєx, 39, was recently announced as the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYS, a distinction bestowed upon an individual with a strong connection […]

However, ESPN stood by its selection of Harry to receive the honor in response to the backlash.

“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of SusSєx, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world,” ESPN said in a statement to Us Weekly. “While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”

 

Related Posts

How Cruel Intentions Recreated Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair Kiss

How Cruel Intentions Recreated Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair Kiss

Savannah Lee Smith and Sarah Catherine Hook. Prime Video (2) Savannah Lee Smith and Sarah Catherine Hook had their work cut out for them when tasked with…

Jax Taylor rear-ended car then drove off WITHOUT exchanging insurance information in shock incident

Jax Taylor rear-ended car then drove off WITHOUT exchanging insurance information in shock incident

Vanderpump Rules star Jax Taylor was involved in a fender-bender in Los Angeles on Wednesday with the star leaving the scene without exchanging insurance information. The star,…

Margot Robbie wears a mask as she joins husband Tom Ackerley while taking their newborn son out in LA

Margot Robbie wears a mask as she joins husband Tom Ackerley while taking their newborn son out in LA

Margot Robbie opted for safety first as she wore a face mask while grabbing coffee with her husband Tom Ackerley and their newborn son on Thursday in…

Pedro Pascal shares shirtless snap of Gladiator II co-star Paul Mescal as they took bromance off set

Pedro Pascal shares shirtless snap of Gladiator II co-star Paul Mescal as they took bromance off set

Pedro Pascal shared a shirtless snap of his Gladiator II co-star Paul Mescal from one of the days they enjoyed a bromance field trip at what appeared…

Cuba Gooding Jr. has surprising reaction to overturning of Empire costar Jussie Smollett’s conviction

Cuba Gooding Jr. has surprising reaction to overturning of Empire costar Jussie Smollett’s conviction

Cuba Gooding Jr. said he feels that the case surrounding Jussie Smollett reflected a pushback to a societal mentality that believes all accusers, when asked about the…

EXCLUSIVETom Sandoval confirms he IS moving in with new girlfriend as he reflects on life a year on from Scandoval

EXCLUSIVETom Sandoval confirms he IS moving in with new girlfriend as he reflects on life a year on from Scandoval

Over a year after his affair with a castmate plunged him into controversy, Tom Sandoval is moving on from Scandoval.  The reality star, 42, has found love again…