Prince Harry was "tactful" in his public response to Mary Tillman following severe backlash, a royal commentator has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex received a memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman at a glitzy event in Los Angeles last week.
Tillman gave up a career in the NFL to enlist as an Army Ranger in 2002 and served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004.
When announced the royal would receive the award, Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, hit out at the decision branding the Duke of Sussex "divisive".
Prince Harry 'tactful' in his public response to Mary TillmanGettyHarry, a veteran himself, began his award speech by acknowledging Tillman's family, "especially Mrs Mary Tillman - Pat's mother".
The father-of-two added: "Her advocacy for Pat's legacy is deeply personal, and one that I respect.
"The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses."
Gareth Russell, a royal commentator, spoke exclusively to GB News to explain the "public feedback" to Prince Harry's award speech.
Mary Tillman [right] spoke out negatively against the duke's nomination
GettyHe said: “Generally the public feedback on how Prince Harry acknowledged Mary Tillman's concern in his speech has been well received.
“Many people tend to think that it was handled in quite a respectful way.
“There are still others who think he should have turned down the award altogether after she came out with that criticism and said that there were people more deserving of it.
“Though there is, of course, a big debate about whether it's going to Prince Harry as an individual, or whether it's going more generally to the Invictus Games, and what the focus should be there.
Prince Harry classily referenced Mary Tillman in his acceptance speech
Getty
“Broadly, but not universally, people thought he alluded to her criticism in the most tactful way he could.”
Earlier this month, Mary Tillman criticised the decision to name Prince Harry the winner of the award named after her son.
She said: "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Prince Harry was joined at the ESPY Awards by Meghan Markle
Getty
"There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.
"These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has.
"I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised."
