Prince Harry received a shocking overhead welcome at the 2024 ESPY Awards.
A banner reading “Prince Harry: Investigate Mum’s Death” flew above the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday, July 11, where the Duke of Sussex, 39, was present to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, was killed in a car accident in August 1997, a tragedy that has long fueled royal gossip and conspiracy theories.
The banner, an unexpected and provocative message, circled the venue for the entirety of the hours-long red carpet event, which Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, did not attend.
The aerial display caught the attention of several celebrities in attendance. Chelsea Griffin-Appiah, alum of “Love Is Blind,” interrupted her interview with Us Weekly to acknowledge the plane’s banner. Squinting to read the message, she responded with a startled, “Oh, my God. L.A. is a wild place.”
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The Duke’s acceptance of the award was also met with controversy. The Pat Tillman Award for Service honors an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the late Pat Tillman’s legacy. However, Harry’s selection sparked some backlash, notably from Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, who expressed her surprise and disapproval at not being consulted about the decision.
Harry addressed Mary Tillman directly at the start of his acceptance speech on Thursday evening. “Mary’s advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,” Harry said. “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest honors.”
He continued, “The truth is, I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel across 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality. This award belongs to them, not to me. That said, it is of great importance to me to highlight these allies, athletes, and their amazing families for their achievements, their spirit, and their courage at every opportunity, especially on nights like this in front of people like you.”
Harry’s speech underscored his commitment to the Invictus Games Foundation, an organization he founded to support wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women through sports. His words aimed to shift the focus from himself to the many veterans and service personnel who benefit from the foundation’s work.
Despite the controversy and the unexpected aerial message, Harry’s presence at the ESPYs and his heartfelt speech served to remind attendees and viewers of the importance of service and support for veterans and their families.
His recognition at the event highlighted the impact of the Invictus Games and the ongoing need to honor those who have served their countries.
