Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to be “drowning out noise” after the recent backlash to the news that the Duke was set win an ESPY award.

Harry, 39, was recently named as the recipient of the 2024’s EPSY’s Pat Tillman Award for Service – this includes his own military work, as well the Invictus Games.

The announcement caused a stir amongst many royal fans, as well as Mary Tillman – the late hero’s mum – who claimed that she was not made aware that Harry would be receiving the award.

Speaking recently to The New York Post, former royal butler Grant Harrold said that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, however, aren’t experiencing anything different than they usually do and are “used to” the criticism.

Mr Harrold said: “[Harry and Meghan are] very used to the criticism, given everything that’s gone on over the last few years.”

He continued: “I’m sure they’ll be drowning out the outside noise by continuing with their normal and everyday life and trying not to turn on the television, or read the papers as much.

“They’re being talked about constantly, given their profiles.”

Discussing the pair on behalf of Fruity Slots, Mr Harrold – who working for King Charles for seven years – added: “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.”

Speaking earlier, the former royal butler said that the Duke is, however, likely “feeling sad” over the recent criticism.

Discussing Harry, Mr Harrold added that the Duke would “never want to cause any upset”.

The expert said that the backlash could make the Duke want to decline the award, especially as he’d “never want to cause upset”.

He said: “If he thinks that it is going to cause upset, then it is quite likely that he could decline the award… because he’d never want to cause any upset and it would affect him hearing about the backlash.”

After Harry’s award was announced, ESPN defended their decision to award the Duke, stating that it was “a cause worth celebrating”.

Prince Harry, during his time as a senior member of the Royal Family, served in the British armed forces for 10 years.

He completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot and a forward air controller.

Harry also founded the Invictus Games in 2014 for international wounded, injured and sick (WIS) armed forces personnel, serving or veteran.