A promotional video for this year’s ESPY Awards has reignited backlash after teasing Prince Harry’s appearance in accepting a service award.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, is due to be honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his Invictus Games work at the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles tonight.

Tillman, an American football star who gave up a multi-million dollar contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11 , had his life tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he was killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan 20 years ago.

‘Tonight was made for royalty,’ the caption of the promotional video posted on Instagram read. ‘Join Prince Harry Duke of Sussex, Quinta Brunson, & a special performance by Ciara at the #ESPYS at 8/7c on ABC!’

Users on social media didn’t hold back when expressing their outrage.

Unbelivable. What o joke [sic],’ commented a user.

Serena Williams – a close friend of Meghan Markle – will host of this year’s ESPYs. 

She posted a promo on her X account of her satirically warming up her voice next to a sign that reads ‘Quiet Please.’

The caption read: ‘No one tells me what to do/ tune in tomorrow … to watch me host the ESPYS!’

Some users are speculating that the only reason Prince Harry is getting an award is because of a ‘quid pro quo’ deal between Williams and the Duke.

There’s no evidence to support that claim, with Harry hailed for his service in the British Army and for setting up the Invictus Games for injured veterans.  

We knew the ESPY awards were bought and sold when Caitlyn Jenner made a deal with ABC to get the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in exchange for giving them his first interview as a transwoman,’ commented an angry user. 

‘We know you made a quid pro quo deal for Harry.’

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