Prince Harry and Meghan Markle slammed for 'collecting trophies' and 'buying respect' as critics question ESPY Award

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced criticism from a royal commentator, accusing them of trying to "buy the public’s respect" through accumulating awards, as reported by the New York Post.

The backlash intensified after Prince Harry was named the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYs, an honor given for his military service and work with the Invictus Games.

Expert claims Prince Harry and Meghan Markle use awards to 'buy respect'

Mary Tillman, the mother of the late hero Pat Tillman, expressed her disapproval, stating she was not consulted about ESPN's decision. Royal expert Kinsey Schofield criticized the couple for their "obsession" with collecting trophies, suggesting the public is aware of their attempts to garner positive PR through such accolades.

“I see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accepting more trophies for awards that I don’t understand what they’re for,” Schofield told TalkTV. “I guess they’re trying to buy the public’s respect, they’re trying to buy good PR through networking and creating these opportunities to collect trophies for their mantle, but I think the public sees through these individuals,” she added. 

ESPN defended its choice to honor Prince Harry, emphasizing his decade-long service in the British military and his contributions through the Invictus Games Foundation, which supports military service members and veterans, reports the New York Post. The network highlighted the significance of the Invictus Games and expressed pride in celebrating its positive impact.

Schofield also criticized Meghan Markle for accepting awards for her now-canceled podcast 'Archetypes,' which was discontinued by Spotify after only 12 episodes. Markle received the People’s Choice Award for The Pop Podcast of 2022 and was named a digital media national winner by the 48th Annual Gracie Awards.

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have amassed numerous awards. In 2022, they received the NAACP’s President’s Award and a Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Organization. Markle was also awarded the Women of Vision Award last year, an event that led to a controversial claim of a "near catastrophic car chase" in NYC.

Prince Harry was honored with the Living Legends of Aviation award by John Travolta and subsequently inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation Hall of Fame, further adding to their collection of accolades.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle slammed for collecting awards

Social media users were quick to voice their opinions, echoing Schofield's sentiment. One user commented, "Right now Harry's reputation and popularity are the lowest it's ever been. Neither he nor his projects are very salable. Ms Scholfield is correct. Harry has to be re-packaged for his financial reasons. The award is nothing more than a blatant PR tactic done to make him look like a hero."

Another user agreed, "GIVE IT UP you two. Respect CANNOT be bought, it is earned. As for these two, they will never be respected. She saw to that. That time is LONG gone."

Some critics lamented what they see as missed opportunities by the couple. "They had it all - money, titles. All they had to do was shut up and enjoy it, be philanthropic at times. They didn’t want it, I’d have gladly taken it. Tragic. Be grateful for what you have. I blame her," one user wrote.

Others called for the Sussexes to find alternative ways to sustain their lifestyle. One user wrote, "Harry and Megan need to find another way to fund their lifestyle. Why not claiming they are worthy."

Some users also slammed the couple's efforts and public appearances. "Buying awards and buying friends is a very sad state of affairs. These two have to pretend to be important whilst on their privacy tours. He dresses in the suit with the silly board of medals like they mean something in the USA. He looks ridiculous. The medals need to stay in the shadow box and she needs to stop trying to be so special," another user stated.

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