Prince Harry urged to make major U-turn to save his dwindling popularity in bombshell poll

Here at Express.co.uk we asked our readers whether Prince Harry should accept the award or if he should instead give it up for someone else to receive it.

Prince Harry has been slammed for a controversial award nomination (Image: Getty)

Prince Harry is set to receive a controversial award today, which has sparked significant backlash, some from friends of the Royal Family.

The Duke is set to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service – named after an NFL player-turned-army vet who tragically died in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan – for his work with the Invictus Games.

The awards will take place in Los Angeles and will be hosted by tennis star Serena Williams, a friend of Meghan Markle.

However, the news sparked a backlash worldwide, with a petition being set up urging the awards organisers to rethink their decision with many questioning why he would accept the award named in honour of a war hero.

As his popularity dwindles Express.co.uk has asked our readers whether Harry should accept the award or if he should instead give it up for someone else to receive it.

A staggering 94 percent of Express.co.uk readers believe that Harry should give up the award with only 5 percent voting that he should accept the award, while one per cent voted that the don’t know.

More than 70,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org, started by Patti Mickel, urging ESPN to rethink the nomination.

The campaign founder said: “Pat Tillman’s story has touched my life deeply. His patriotism, loyalty, and ultimate sacrifice for his military squad are undeniably remarkable.

“As such, the Pat Tillman award should be representative of his values and should honour someone who, like Tillman, has shown unwavering dedication to their squad and country. Ergo, I find ESPN’s decision to award Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman award at the ESPYs disconcerting.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for a photograph (Image: Getty)

 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nigeria as part of Invictus Games Anniversary celebrations (Image: Getty)

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Tillman’s mother Mary also expressed her anger at the nomination, telling The Daily Mail: “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. There are recipients that are far more fitting.”
Admiral Lord Alan West, who was First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 2002-06, lashed out at the royal and gave him an eight-word warning regarding his nomination.

Lord West warned Harry that “he ought to think very hard and long” about accepting particular awards it as it “doesn’t travel well with people in the military”. He also urged him to turn the Pat Tillman award down.

The Labour peer told the Mail: “He ought to think very hard and long about accepting awards for things like being an exceptional pilot and being exceptionally brave.

Admiral Lord Alan West has criticised Prince Harry (Image: Getty)