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Prince Harry’s ESPY Awards put Meghan Markle in a tight corner, needing to choose between her marriage and reputation. This month, the Duke of Sussex sparked controversy with his decision to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his outstanding contribution to sports and the veteran community through the Invictus Games. Many, including the late Pat Tillman’s mother Mary Tillman, kicked against the Duke’s recognition by the ESPYs, insisting there were more deserving people out there. Although the awarding body attempted to defend their choice, Harry’s nomination as the award recipient sparked backlash across media platforms, with many calling on Prince Harry to reject the Pat Tillman Award at the 2024 ESPYs.
After much debate surrounding whether or not Prince Harry would accept the award, the 39-year-old stood his ground on Thursday, July 11, taking to the stage at the ceremony to receive his award. Thankfully, he had the support of his wife, flanking him and even cheering the loudest as he received the Pat Tillman Award for Service with a dignified speech. Royal correspondent Jack Royston believes Meghan’s presence, although reassuring, would cost more than a few awkward glances and side-talks in the long run.
Meghan Markle Puts Reputation on the Line for Prince Harry
Speaking on The Royal Podcast, Jack explained that by coming through for Prince Harry at the ESPY Awards, Meghan Markle put “her own neck on the line.” Yet, to ensure her husband does not face the “uncertain crowd alone,” the duchess overlooked the impact of her appearance on her reputation. By so doing, Meghan Markle made the selfless move to save her marriage. But that came at the expense of orchestrating her own social ruin.
Going further, Jack Royston acknowledged that Meghan Markle barely had a say in the issue, as failing to attend would not only jeopardize her marriage but also put her in a bizarre situation. He explained,
“It would have looked very kind of out of place if, you know… if one of your best friends was hosting and your husband’s collecting an award for you to stay home.”
Serena Williams, widely regarded as one of Meghan Markle’s BFFs served as the host of the 2024 ESPY Awards. Hence, while the duchess has gracefully absented herself from some of Harry’s previous occasions, like the May 8 Invictus Games anniversary event, slipping out of this one would not have gone unnoticed. The royal expert divulged,
“You would have to think that it would look deliberate for people, so there was no neutral option for her. She had to choose to stand with Harry or choose to abandon him.”
Meghan’s Decision Spotlighted Strained Celeb Connections
Going further, Jack explained that “both from a PR point of view and from a marital health point of view,” choosing to stand by Prince Harry was the best possible way out for Meghan Markle. But that came at the cost of exposing her collapsing Hollywood friendships and connections.
While mounting the stage at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on July 11 to claim the Pat Tillman Award, the audience gave Prince Harry a standing ovation. However, the camera caught Serena Williams’ sister, Venus Williams hesitating to rise in acknowledgment or applaud the Duke.
Her now-viral reaction has sparked speculation of a possible fallout between Meghan and her close pals Serena and Venus. The camera also caught several members of the star-studded audience failing to celebrate Harry during his award acceptance. This somewhat validates the rumors of Meghan’s dwindling Hollywood circle as A-listers reportedly avoid the Sussexes like a plague.
