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 and criticism, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are continuing with their normal routines. The recent controversy surrounding Harry’s ESPY Award nomination hasn’t fazed the couple, who are well accustomed to dealing with public scrutiny.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked for King Charles, shared his insights on how the Sussexes are handling the situation. He emphasized that the couple is used to being in the spotlight and has developed coping mechanisms to deal with the constant attention.
Harrold mentioned that Harry, known for being a private person, may find it challenging to navigate the increased media attention. However, he believes that Harry will stay true to himself and carry on with his daily life despite the noise surrounding the ESPY Award controversy.
There have been speculations that Harry might decline the prestigious award to avoid causing any further upset. Harrold suggested that Harry’s main concern is not to disappoint or offend anyone, and if he feels that accepting the award will lead to backlash, he might choose to decline it.
On the other hand, ESPN defended their decision to honor Harry, highlighting his contributions to the Invictus Games and his dedication to various charitable causes. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant impacts in the world, mirroring the legacy of Pat Tillman, the former NFL player and US Army Ranger.
Harry’s own service in the British armed forces, including his tours in Afghanistan, reflects his commitment to making a difference and serving his country. Despite the controversies surrounding the ESPY Award, Harry’s contributions to society continue to be acknowledged and celebrated.
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