Prince Harry pays tribute to his ‘eternal bond’ with Princess Diana as he accepts Pat Tillman Award

Prince Harry has accepted the Pat Tillman Award despite calls from veterans to reject it and used his speech to pay tribute to the fallen soldier’s mother after she said he was too ‘privileged’ and other soldiers were more deserving.

The Duke of Sussex, watched by his wife Meghan Markle, spoke of the ‘eternal bond’ between mother and son – a nod to Mary Tillman and Princess Diana.

Harry has faced calls to reject the award because it has typically gone to unsung veterans. More than 76,000 people signed a petition demanding the decision was reversed.

And Mary Tillman told the Mail last month that she was ‘shocked’ it would go to ‘such a controversial and divisive figure’, adding: ‘There are recipients that are far more fitting. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has’.

But last night at the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, hosted by Meghan’s close friend Serena Williams, Harry extended an olive branch to Mr Tillman’s mother.

Meghan beamed with pride as Harry spoke of his ‘respect’ for how she was preserving her son’s bravery and memory, as he also applauded the sacrifice of wounded veterans and praised the Invictus Games in his victory speech.

‘Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,’ he said. ‘The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.’