The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 9: August 2023 - July 2024

[fabaunty]

If only others had the grace to move on like the Mountbatten-Windsors have.

Speaking of the ESPY award, ESPN has put out their own statement about Prince Harry winning the award: ESPN Responds to Backlash Over Prince Harry Being Named the Recipient of the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPYs—Including Complaints from Tillman’s Mother Over Harry’s Selection


The chair of the foundation, by the way, is Leadership - Marie Tillman | Pat Tillman Foundation, Tillman's widow. Apparently she had no issue with Prince Harry receiving the award, so do you take the side of his mother or the foundation chaired by his widow? I'm guessing confirmation bias will come into play here.

I hesitate to reply for fear of getting this forum shut down , but Marie Tillman was only married to her husband for a brief time during much of which he was on military service . I do not in any way denigrate her very real grief at his loss . Luckily she has found happiness again . However it was his mother who fought a long battle against the military and government to uncover the truth surrounding her son's death . Previously she was consulted / notified of the recipients , on this occasion she has stated she was not informed , and believed there were more deserving candidate's. Both Marie Tillman and her husband are employed by the Pat Tillman Foundation.

 

[Chimene]

She doesn't. However good their relationship was previously, he sold her out for thousands of dollars and I understand why she has no contact now.

Harry and Meghan sold out the royal family for millions of dollars and yet can't seem to understand why the family has cut them off. Weird blind spot.

Re the award, Invictus is a fantastic organisation and has done/is doing sterling work but Harry should be presenting to an unsung representative of the games, not accepting. I'm sure he;ll say as much at the ceremony, but he;d have won kudos if he'd done it when offered the award.

She’s no different from him. None of the Markles are good people in my opinion. Not a single one. The way they have treated each other across the board in public is horrible. But the brother wrote that tacky open letter, and as despicable as it was, what he said has indeed come to pass.

 

[Curryong]

Thomas Markle jnr later wrote another open letter apologising for what he had previously written about Meghan. I doubt she read either of them anyway.

 

[Chimene]

At least he knows to apologize for yucky behavior so that’s something.

 

[Curryong]

Well, he was on Big Brother at the time so who knows why he did it. He was always saying things about the half sister he hardly knew before the Sussex wedding and then taking it back (again via media.)

 

[Toledo]

Thomas Markle Jr later wrote another open letter apologizing for what he had previously written about Meghan. I doubt she read either of them anyway.

I believe that's her older half sibling. The half-brother's open letter will have no effect on her. The insults he gave her years ago won't be forgiven. I'm not a fan of MM anymore but if a relative talked about me that way I don't see why make amends now nor why reach out to him.

And I'm surprised he even tries. I see her as an individual that decided years ago if any relatives from any side don't fit into the Hollywood influencer narrative, then like in a TV show, characters just written off the script for the new season. Thomas Markle Jr. is long gone from this story to even be remembered.

I don't justify MM in her family antics drama, but the toxicity from the Markle's side is way too much to be near to.

 

[Curryong]

Yes, Thomas Markle jnr was born in Sept 1966 and Meghan in August 1981, so there’s almost fifteen years between them. And he and older sister Samantha were gone from Thomas snr’s home long before Meghan began her school years.

 

[Toledo]

I won't consider them siblings but in name only. They were not raised together, like when you have a single parent with kids from different relations but still everyone is in one house. In that, I see her point of view. Neither one needs the other and let's face it, TM Jr would have never been cast on a TV show to make a fool of himself had he not exploited the connection.

Come to think of it, that trait really runs on that family with all three of TM Senior's children.

 

[stunking]

ESPN received a $200,000 donation from the Archewell Foundation for the Tillman Award for Harry.

 

[Curryong]

Who says so?

 

[HenRach Dominion]

ESPN received a $200,000 donation from the Archewell Foundation for the Tillman Award for Harry.

Source?

 

[Toledo]

Articles about the Award in discussion, seems the Award was created by ESPN and now, my opinion, the station uses it as a show filler ceremony where the family of the soldier they use for name is not even consulted. So, ESPN has virtually highjacked Pat Tillmans' son name, the late soldier, for this ceremony that precedes the next one the Espy's Awards.

​

Pat Tillman's mom calls Prince Harry ‘divisive' after he's picked for late son's award
Excerpt

"American veteran Pat Tillman's mother has spoken out after Britain's Prince Harry was picked to receive an award that was set up to honor her late son...

“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,”... “There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans,” she added. “These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has.”

Tillman confirmed to NBC News that she had made the comments, but she declined a further interview."

​

‘Controversial and divisive’: Prince Harry jeered ahead of Hollywood awards show

Excerpt:
"Despite ESPN’s defense, online petitions calling for a new Pat Tillman Award winner have garnered tens of thousands of signatures, and ESPN personality Pat McAfee said the network is “just obviously trying to p**s people off,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation did not respond to a request for comment from NBC."


Prince Harry given brutal eight-word warning by ex-Navy chief over award

Excerpt:
"...Admiral Lord Alan West, who was First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 2002-06, has 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."
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.

 

[Asteria12]

ESPN received a $200,000 donation from the Archewell Foundation for the Tillman Award for Harry.

I thought I'd read somewhere that a donation of that amount was made by the Archewell Foundation to Team Rubicon, co-founded by Jake Wood, not ESPN? I could be wrong, I haven't really looked into it.

I do think the royal example of not accepting personal awards is a very sensible one. Its a shame Harry and Meghan don't follow it, as it would help them to avoid the kind of negative attention they seem to attract every time they accept an award.

 

[Ghost]

I thought I'd read somewhere that a donation of that amount was made by the Archewell Foundation to Team Rubicon, co-founded by Jake Wood, not ESPN? I could be wrong, I haven't really looked into it.

I do think the royal example of not accepting personal awards is a very sensible one. Its a shame Harry and Meghan don't follow it, as it would help them to avoid the kind of negative attention they seem to attract every time they accept an award.

Yes, and Jake Wood defended Harry being given the award.

 

[Asteria12]

Oh, @shady lady it was your post that pointed out the donation to Wood's company! I knew I'd read it somewhere!

 

[Curryong]

Yes, but that donation was to Team Rubicon, co-founded by Jake Wood, not to ESPN at all.

 

[Mirabel]

Yes, I recall that being said in the past. However I don't think it holds true, or as true as it was, today. Leaving aside H&M, and Prince Andrew to a certain extent (although he is still within the family fold), today's BRF seems to me to be a very tight and loving bunch; witness all the friendly and loving familial interactions at Ascot.

I agree.
Apart from the Sussexes, everyone else seems to have closed ranks and been very supportive of Charles.
This apparently even applies to extended family like the Kents, Gloucesters, etc.

 

[Asteria12]

Yes, but that donation was to Team Rubicon, co-founded by Jake Wood, not to ESPN at all.

How do you know for certain that ESPN didn't receive more than just publicity for choosing Harry for their award? It really does go both ways - there's currently no proof whether they received a financial boon, nor is there proof that they didn't. However what IS obvious is that it looks like this award was bought for Harry to boost his image. This is yet again a problem of optics, and the Sussex's do themselves no favours by going along with it.

 

[Curryong]

‘Looks like’ doesn’t really mean anything without proof of any kind, does it? Without verification it’s just speculation and groundless gossip.

 

[Ghost]

Yes, but that donation was to Team Rubicon, co-founded by Jake Wood, not to ESPN at all.

And Jake Wood came to defend the choice ESPY made, to give the award to Harry. Not to Invictus, to Harry.


A lot of those under machinations make me remember something Harry said once, that there’s a lot of money in the charity, it needs only to be unlocked.

 

[Asteria12]

In this day and age, speculation and gossip will irrevocably damage your image and get you cancelled. This is why its unfortunate that Harry isn't more careful with his image. Whether its his ego or he's listening to the wrong advice, who knows, but he simply isn't going to win an optics award with this one.

 

[Elenath]

In this day and age, speculation and gossip will irrevocably damage your image and get you cancelled. This is why its unfortunate that Harry isn't more careful with his image. Whether its his ego or he's listening to the wrong advice, who knows, but he simply isn't going to win an optics award with this one.

From what I've seen for some people he will never win, no matter what he does. And if there's nothing to be found they'll just make it up, followed by people saying "how bad the optics are". A lot of these type of charities cross paths, that doesn't mean awards were bought. That's just starting rumours based on nothing.

 

[Ista]

The thread has been cleaned up and a number of off topic and argumentative posts have been removed. Any further posts along those lines will be removed, and the members posting such may face further moderator actions.

It's time to move on from the discussion about the recent award, unless there is further news from reliable sources.

In addition, there has been a recurring trend recently with some members attempting to shut down discussion that they don't like or agree with. If you think a post is against forum rules, please flag it for the moderating team. Otherwise, the forum is open to a range of opinions, as long as the post follows the forum and the thread rules, so please bear that in mind.

 

[Curryong]

ITV announces Prince Harry has taken part in a documentary about phone hacking.

He tells our reporter @BeccaBarry
why he is fighting to expose what he says are the illegal activities of Britain's tabloid newspapers.

Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church, Paul Gascoigne also speak.

"Tabloids on Trial" ITV1, 9pm on July 25

Via Chris Ship

 

[Hallo girl]

I am not a legal expert but what is the position with this programme going out while there is a legal case still ongoing.
Is the difference because this is a private case that Harry has raised, I am sure the defendants ( if that is the correct terminology) but you know who I mean will be watching and taking notes.

 

[Toledo]

ITV announces Prince Harry has taken part in a documentary about phone hacking.
He tells our reporter @BeccaBarry
why he is fighting to expose what he says are the illegal activities of Britain's tabloid newspapers.
Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church, Paul Gascoigne also speak.
"Tabloids on Trial" ITV1, 9pm on July 25

Via Chris Ship

Here's are the related articles about the news you mentioned:

Prince Harry to feature in ITV documentary about phone hacking
Excerpt:
"...At the time, the Duke hailed himself a “dragon slayer” as he urged the Metropolitan Police to investigate. He said the victory justified his “slow and painful” fight for justice against the media in the courts and vowed to plough on. "
“I’ve been told that slaying dragons will get you burned,” he said. “But in light of today’s victory and the importance of doing what is needed for a free and honest press, it is a worthwhile price to pay. The mission continues.”

My comment: First, I don't like the sad Harry picture they used when you open the link.
Re Harry, the Dragon Slayer, unless he is a fan of Game of Thrones, fire spitting dragons are not real. When someone uses fiction lore to elevate himself to a level of grandiosity and drag the viewer to justify his emotion-driven decisions, it worries me. He has gone too far now that this is no longer about court battles but pride for a win of any kind.

There is no corruption to expose because this has done in the past and the press dirty tactics have not changed, just evolved with social media. From the goal at hand, Harry was made believe there is a need for yet another expose documentary, starring him, for us to tune in to Netflix and clutch our pearls.

If I wanted to learn about the press dirty tactics there are zillions of online videos that do that without the narration of Harry, the Dragon Slayer of the Yellow Press and his need for admiration.

​

Another article from the Hollywood Reporter, also using the same exact picture and that makes me think this was all approved in advanced to market the ITV show.

Prince Harry, Hugh Grant Set for ITV Documentary on Phone Hacking Scandal ‘Tabloids On Trial’
Excerpt:
"...ITV News’s Rebecca Barry will sit down with Prince Harry – who has broken from royal tradition with the immense legal action – for his first major interview since the legal action commenced as the documentary “hears about his mission to continue his fight to expose the illegal tactics of Britain’s tabloid press..."

There was no mention of Harry, Dragon Slayer on this article

​

 

[Chimene]

The sad picture is meant for you to feel sorry for him. [.....]

 

[Toledo]

The sad picture is meant for you to feel sorry for him. [.....]

The reuse of the picture in two different articles, that same exact look-at-Harry-so-sad photo, shows there's a PR behind this creating the narrative for us the viewers to fall in and tune in.

In summary, the same press manipulation tactics his camp complains about are in use to promote his current business, social justice from his privileged life documentary creator. Well, that hints Netflix is holding up the rest of the money they promised unless he burns to the ground the RF credibility.

And I was hoping for that Meghan cooking show instead with a paella programming to include social agendas + family values + inclusivity + empowerment + representation + some recipes. Seems she's not going to be the one to be stirring the pot in 2024.

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

Or, like every other network does, ITV has released a handful of stills from the documentary for press – the choice of which Harry has had no impact on. I don't understand the need to look for hidden motives everywhere.

[...]

 

[Leopoldine]

Regarding Harry's Invictus honor --

Tonight my community welcomed a number of wounded warriors and their families with a full-on parade of fire trucks, antique fire trucks, vintage police vehicles, helicopters and a full turn-out of flag-waving residents. The veterans will be here through the weekend participating in adaptive water sports. It's so important to the participants and their families, and our neighborhood which has been hosting this for years. The vets and their families are hosted by local people in their houses, the NYPD and FDNY are on call for any transportation needs.

This little neighborhood effort is a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of Invictus. Harry is the one who brought Invictus to international attention. Who cares if he's not the one toting that barge and lifting that bale and going over the books at night. He puts an international focus on Invictus and does his job.

Congratulations HRH Prince Henry!