Prince Harry's speech began with an effort to shield himself from potential backlash by bringing veterans on stage.
Many saw this move as manipulative. He then praised Mary Tillman and spoke about the unbreakable bond between a mother and son, a gesture seemingly designed to tug at heartstrings but perceived as insincere. His unstable behavior became too much for some viewers, causing them to stop watching. Notably, he was not allowed to walk the red carpet, likely to avoid negative reactions, indicating that even the network was wary of facing difficult questions.
The audacity of using a deceased soldier and involving his mother, who openly opposed Harry's actions, was seen as deeply disrespectful. Despite Mary Tillman's disapproval, Harry mentioned her in his speech, seemingly mocking her feelings. This shameless act reinforced the belief that he did not deserve the award and made his intentions appear purely self-serving, focused on saving his public image rather than showing genuine respect for veterans or Mary Tillman. The fact that he accepted an award in his name, rather than for the Invictus Foundation or charity, highlighted a desire for attention over sincere acknowledgment.
By asking veterans to stay on stage with him, it appeared Harry was trying to avoid being booed. Using Mary Tillman's name to curry favor, despite her vocal opposition to his award, was deeply shameful. His widespread unpopularity, especially in the USA, was evident in his speech. Indirectly referencing Mary Tillman when discussing the bond between a mother and son came off as disrespectful and derogatory. Bringing veterans on stage seemed cowardly, an attempt to shield himself from negative reactions. His actions portrayed a despicable personality, as he manipulated the situation using real heroes to protect himself. This was perceived as a PR attempt to improve his self-image rather than a genuine tribute to veterans or Mary Tillman.
Harry's actions angered many people. Despite his speech being well-crafted to praise veterans and Mary Tillman, it was seen as motivated by selfish reasons. It appeared to be an attempt to salvage his reputation rather than a sincere acknowledgment. The underlying motives were questioned, making the whole situation seem disingenuous. Accepting the award despite widespread opposition and petitions against it showed a disconnect from public sentiment. The backlash included disgust at his use of his mother's legacy and manipulation of the narrative to his advantage. This was viewed as a disgraceful act, overshadowing the true purpose of honoring real heroes like Pat Tillman.
Throughout the event, Harry's behavior—from bringing veterans on stage to mentioning Mary Tillman and his own mother—was seen as manipulative and self-serving. This act further damaged his reputation, highlighting a perceived lack of genuine respect for veterans and their families. The reaction was overwhelmingly negative, with many feeling he mocked real heroes and used their stories for personal gain.
