Prince Harry was defended by King Charles’s former butler over his nomination for the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service.
The glitzy ceremony called ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) will take place tonight in Los Angeles, with Meghan Markle’s friend, tennis star Serena Williams, hosting the awards.
Harry’s nomination sparked huge backlash worldwide, with a petition being set up urging the awards organisers to rethink their decision.
The awards – named after former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 – are handed out by sports channel ESPN to individuals in the sporting world who have made significant contributions to the lives of others.
Even Tillman’s mother, Mary, told the Mail she was “shocked” at Harry’s nomination when there “are recipients that are far more fitting”.
Now Grant Harrold, who worked as a butler for the King from 2004 to 2011, said it “unfair” for people to judge Harry, as the award has “nothing to do with his personal life”, where Harry faced criticism after his quit his role as a senior working member of the Royal Family in 2020.
Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Mr Harrold said: “I side with Harry on this as he served his country and put his life on the line, he risked his life and did an amazing job and is deserving of the award.
“It’s very unfair some people are judging him instead of looking at that and he’s been honoured, and that’s what this honour is for, it’s nothing to do with his private life.”
He added: “Anyone who is getting an award for their work isn’t judged by the company or person they work for. You aren’t getting an award for what’s happened in your private life, that would be ridiculous.”
The former royal butler claimed that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Harry turned down the award on the night, adding that he will be “sad” over the backlash he is receiving.
He explained: “From Harry’s point of view, he’s quite justified to get that award, he will be sad that people are saying he shouldn’t get it, to the point I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns the award down but that’s a shame as it has been awarded for his efforts which is justified.”
