It’s business as usual for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no strangers to being under fire — and it seems as though the recent blowback from Harry’s ESPY Award nod proved to be no different.
Harry, 39, was named the recipient of the 2024 ESPYs’ Pat Tillman Award for Service and is set to be honored at Thursday’s star-studded ceremony hosted by Markle’s pal, Serena Williams.
However, the announcement didn’t sit right with many, including the late hero’s mom, Mary Tillman, who slammed ESPN and claimed she was never consulted about the decision.
As the backlash continued to plague Harry, former royal butler Grant Harrold says that the duo aren’t experiencing anything they haven’t already.
The Sussexes are “very used to the criticism, given everything that’s gone on over the last few years,” Harrold, who worked for King Charles for seven years, exclusively told The Post.
“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,” he continued.
“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,” he added on behalf of Fruity Slots.
Earlier this week, Harrold suggested that the father of two is “feeling quite sad” about the negative response to him being named as the award’s recipient.
What’s more, the former royal staffer said it’s possible Harry could decline the prestigious award.
“He’d never want to cause any upset,” Harrold 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.”
Earlier this month, ESPN defended its decision to honor Harry, saying co-founding the Invictus Games and his continued work as a patron of the organization “is a cause worth celebrating.”
The award is handed out to individuals who have made significant contributions in the world, which echo the legacy of the former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who enlisted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Harry, for his part, served in the British armed forces for 10 years, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot and a forward air controller.
Despite the backlash, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain focused on their duties and continue to face criticism with grace. The recent controversy surrounding Harry’s ESPY Award has not deterred them from carrying on with their public service.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold reassures that the couple is accustomed to scrutiny and will not let outside noise affect their mission. Their strong sense of duty and commitment to service will guide them through the criticism.
Harrold also suggests that Harry is feeling disheartened by the negative response to his award. However, he speculates that Harry may choose to decline the honor if he believes it will cause further upset. The prince’s humility and desire to avoid conflict may lead him to forego the award.
Despite the controversy, ESPN stands by their decision to recognize Harry’s contributions, highlighting his work with the Invictus Games and commitment to serving his country. The ESPY Award celebrates individuals who embody the spirit of service and sacrifice, echoing the legacy of Pat Tillman.
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex navigate through the criticism, they remain steadfast in their dedication to making a positive impact on the world. Their resilience in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration to many.
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