Why Prince Harry decided to accept Pat Tillman ESPY Award after backlash

After much speculation, Prince Harry ultimately accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service at Thursday’s 2024 ESPY Awards.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, was honored for his military experience and work on the Invictus Games at the star-studded ceremony, hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams.

And while Harry was rumored to have been considering declining the coveted recognition, he ultimately decided to accept it.

According to former royal butler Grant Harrold, who knew the royal personally, Harry did so to “stand up for what he believes in.”

“I thought he was going to decline it because that’s just his nature, but maybe Harry has got to a point where he’s just decided he’s going to do what he wants and as I said, because of his military background and because of the Invictus Games, it’s something he feels really passionate about,” Harrold exclusively told The Post.

“He’s accepting the award on the behalf of military personnel, so in a weird way he probably sees it as his duty to accept it.”

“That’s why I think he’s done it and maybe he’s decided to ignore the people that are trying to be negative about it,” he added on behalf of Slingo.

Harry was overcome with emotion after he was introduced by veterans and past Tillman Award winners and Invictus athletes Marine Sgt. Kirstie Ennis, Army Sgt. Elizabeth Marks and US Air Force Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr.

“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,” said the father of two, who quit royal life in 2020. “This award belongs to them, not to me.”

Indeed, Harrold has echoed the Duke’s sentiment, saying that the honor no doubt “means a lot” to Harry.

“It shows people appreciate what he does with the Invictus Games, it also shows people respect him for what he has done from his career in the military, which I think is also important,” he noted.

“His military career was really important to Harry, I remember this, it was also very important to his late grandmother [Queen Elizabeth II] and grandfather [Prince Philip] who were very proud of him as well and what he has achieved.”

The award didn’t come without some critics, however — including 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 last month. “There are recipients that are far more fitting. Individuals are working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”

Mary explained that those individuals “do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege” that the youngest son of King Charles III has.

Despite the backlash, Harry mentioned Mary in his speech on Thursday night. “[Mary’s] 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.”

Harry arrived to the star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles with wife Meghan Markle by his side.

The “Suits” alum, 42, did not join her husband onstage, but instead looked on proudly from the auditorium.