Meghan Markle Put “Her Own Neck On the Line” to Support Embattled Prince Harry at the ESPYs Earlier This Month
“She chose to be there for her husband.”
![Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bAVEQmm2xax35yW7WBmvei-415-80.jpg)
Indicative of the closeness and solidarity of their relationship, Meghan Markle “put her neck on the line” by supporting her husband, Prince Harry, at the ESPYs, after his selection as the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service was highly criticized, royal reporter Jack Royston said on “The Royal Report” podcast, per OK.
“She clapped for Harry, and she was there in the audience,” Royston said. “She could have tried to stay home and let Harry kind of step into the fire, step into the furnace alone. But she chose to be there for her husband, and she kind of risked putting her own neck on the line and her own reputation on the table to make sure he didn’t face an uncertain crowd alone.”
Meghan supported her husband as he accepted his ESPY, even after criticism was thrown his way.
The ESPYs on July 11 were hosted by Meghan’s longtime friend Serena Williams, and Royston said that it would have “looked very bizarre if Meghan hadn’t gone”: “It would have looked very, kind of out of place if, you know, if one of your best friends was hosting and your husband’s collecting an award for you to stay home,” he said.
He added “You would have to think that it would look deliberate for people, so there was no neutral option for her,” Royston added. “She had to choose to stand with Harry or choose to abandon him. But, you know, clearly—from both a PR point of view and from a marital health point of view—I think it’s very good that she chose to stand by him.”
In addition to Harry receiving an award, Meghan's close friend Williams also hosted the awards ceremony, held on July 11 in Los Angeles.
One of the most outspoken critics to Harry receiving the Tillman Award was Tillman’s own mother, Mary, who said, in part, that “There are recipients that are far more fitting.” In a deeply classy move, Harry spoke about Mary onstage while accepting the award, named for Pat Tillman, who left a career in the NFL to serve as a U.S. Army Ranger after the attacks of September 11, 2001, on the United States; he died in Afghanistan in 2004 at just 27 years old.
“I’d like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mrs. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother,” Harry said while accepting the award onstage. “Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect.” He added “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses,” Harry said, harkening to the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, when he was 12 years old in 1997.
Harry spoke on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation, not as a prince, he said.
“I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality,” Harry said, as Meghan watched proudly.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Prince Harry Would Be Willing To “Help Out” Monarchy If King Charles Asked, Sources Claim
"The Duke remains open and willing to assist if he was called upon."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky Are Finally Red Carpet Official
The pair made an unforgettable debut at the Venice Film Festival.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Victoria Beckham's Click Pen Concealer Will Replace Your Foundation
The ‘Marie Claire’ team put it to the test.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Princess Kate Is "Slowly Preparing" Prince George to Be the Future King
The Princess of Wales doesn't want him to be "weighed down with responsibility."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry's Tribute to His Late Uncle Left Memorial Service Guests "Astounded"
"He is very close to his mother's side of the family."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Has Plenty of Friends and "No Interest" in Returning to Royal Life
Just in case anyone was wondering.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Prince Harry Stayed at Princess Diana's Childhood Home During His Most Recent Trip to the U.K.
“Harry is still very close to his mother’s family."
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Princess Diana's Hair Once Made Queen Elizabeth "Furious," Says Royal Hairdresser
"The Princess learned her lesson that day."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Diana's Family Is "Working Hard" to End Prince Harry and Prince William's Rift
And there's one relative in particular that might be the key to fixing their relationship, apparently.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Why Meghan Markle and Prince Harry "Can't" Share Many Photos of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
"I would expect them to live smaller lives until that gets sorted."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Don't Know About Their Royal Heritage Just Yet
"Archie is sweet and curious and playful, and Lili is vibrant and happy."
By Amy Mackelden Published