In what has been a very turbulent few years for the British Royal Family, Prince Harry‘s decision to step back from royal duties and pursue a future of his own in the United States of America remains a seismic moment.
The decision was undoubtedly influenced by being married to Meghan Markle, with the British press treating her in a way that led them to see their future away from Buckingham Palace.
Prince Harry receives unexpected gesture from Meghan Markle in public
Historian and biographer Hugo Vickers spoke on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show and the focus was on the Pat Tillman Award that Harry has been nominated for.
A heated debate on Harry and Meghan
The Sun’s Royal Editor, Matt Wilkinson said: “Harry‘s getting this award for his service, but also for his work with Invictus Games.
“But his [Pat Tillman’s] mother [Mary Tillman] is incredible upset about this. How do we feel about this? Is it uncomfortable that he’s winning this award?”
Vickers replied: “I think it is a bit uncomfortable – he doesn’t need to win an award.
“I think what he did with Invictus Games is brilliant – and I’m glad he’s still doing things for them. That’s very good.
“But the trouble is, it gets tied up with all this need for reinvention, publicity and things like that, which they’re always doing.”
Wilkinson added: “With this award…[Pat’s] mother said he [Harry] shouldn’t have it.
“And there’s a question as to whether members of the Royal Family should be picking up awards like this. The Royal Family give out awards.”
Vickers then said: “They [royals] should give them out, they should, absolutely.
“Sometimes if it’s an award which highlights the people giving the award and it’s helpful for the member of the royal family to receive it. I can understand that that would be useful.
“What I’m worried about is that it’s more publicity for Prince Harry. It seems to me that they have a problem, those two [Harry and Meghan].
“They’ve told their story, I don’t know how they can go on telling their story, and eventually, people are likely to get bored with it, I imagine.
“The difference between what they’re [Harry and Meghan] doing and what the British Royal Family are doing – the British Royal Family are working for the nation, the Commonwealth, and Harry and Meghan seem to be working for themselves. And that’s always unattractive I think.”
