Nancy and Stephanie, widely recognized as the "Sly Twins" on YouTube, recently delved into the controversy surrounding Jake Wood's endorsement of Prince Harry for the prestigious Pat Tillman Award.
During their discussion on the channel, Wood, a previous recipient of the award in 2018, publicly advocated for Prince Harry to receive the same honor. He praised Harry's decision to serve in Afghanistan despite his royal status and highlighted his ongoing contributions through initiatives like the Invictus Games, which aim to support wounded veterans and service members.
However, Nancy and Stephanie approached Wood's endorsement with a critical eye. They raised questions about the authenticity of his support, particularly given his organizational ties to Team Rubicon, which had received a substantial donation from Prince Harry's Archewell Foundation. The twins expressed skepticism about whether Wood's endorsement was driven more by financial reciprocity than genuine admiration for Prince Harry's achievements.
During their discussion, the Sly Twins didn't shy away from exploring broader implications of such endorsements within the context of potential pay-to-play scenarios. They pointed out the timing of financial transactions, noting a reported $250,000 donation from Archewell to Team Rubicon, ostensibly to aid Afghan families. This raised ethical concerns for Nancy and Stephanie, who highlighted the need for transparency in charitable contributions and public endorsements.
Adding to the controversy, the twins referenced a statement from Team Rubicon expressing gratitude to the Archewell Foundation and Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for their support. The statement, featured on Team Rubicon's website, described their collaboration in welcoming Afghan families into communities across the United States and mentioned a personal encounter with the royal couple at a site supported by their efforts.
Beyond the endorsement saga, Prince Harry's upcoming reception of the Pat Tillman Award has stirred additional controversy. Critics, including Pat Tillman's mother Mary, have questioned the decision to honor him, describing Harry as controversial and divisive. This sentiment has been echoed in a Change.org petition urging ESPN to reconsider the award choice, reflecting broader discontent within the military community.
Royal commentator G. Russell discussed the backlash Harry faces within the military community, citing concerns over comments made in his memoir "Spare" and during public appearances. Russell highlighted that some felt Harry had breached military etiquette, which holds significant weight among service members. He acknowledged Harry's positive contributions through initiatives like the Invictus Games but noted that critiques of his behavior in combat situations had strained his standing within military circles. Russell said, "There were very clear signs from the military in Britain that they were extremely unhappy with many of the comments made in 'Spare' and on several chat shows. I don't think there's any doubt that many in the military felt that he'd broken a code or broken protocol, and that means a great deal within the British military. It's worth remembering that many people have a great deal of affection and admiration for the work the Duke of Sussex has done with the Invictus Games, but someone's record is not all good or all bad. Even those who have admiration for the Invictus Games have said that they felt the comments in 'Spare' were isolating and inappropriate."
In "Spare," Prince Harry recounted his experiences in Afghanistan, including a controversial description of combat encounters. He described his actions as eliminating chess pieces rather than seeing them as individuals, a depiction that drew criticism from former military personnel like ex-Colonel Tim Collins. Collins, among others, condemned Harry's portrayal, arguing that it diverged from accepted military ethics and norms.
