Meghan looks on as Harry accepts 'hero' award with Diana tribute

PRINCE Harry paid tribute to his “eternal bond” with Princess Diana as he accepted a war hero award for his work with military veterans — despite criticism from the mother of the soldier it is named after.

- Robert Dex

He received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, which is given to individuals in the sporting world who have made significant contributions to the lives of others. It honoured his work as founder of the Invictus Games, which supports injured and sick servicemen and women.

The award is named after the former NFL player and US army ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.

However, ahead of the ceremony Mr Tillman’s mother Mary said she had not been consulted about the choice, and branded Harry “a controversial and divisive individual”. She added that she wanted the award to go to someone without the “money, resources, connections or privilege” of the Prince. More than 76,000 people signed a petition demanding the decision be reversed.

Watched by his wife Meghan, who beamed with pride as he accepted the honour, Harry acknowledged the Tillman family, “especially Mrs Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother”.