Forget MVPs; this year’s ESPYs have a real-life prince in the spotlight. Prince Harry is set to receive a prestigious award for his transformative work with veterans. For the Duke of Sussex, this recognition isn’t just a personal achievement—it’s a victory for the entire military community.

Prince Harry will be honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards. This award celebrates those who, like the late NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, have made significant contributions through sports that positively impact others.

Prince Harry gathered with other British troops for a Remembrance Sunday service at Kandahar Airfield in Kandahar, Afghanistan on November 9, 2014 | Source: Getty Images

Harry’s commitment to supporting veterans through sports has earned him this recognition. With a decade of service in the British military, including two tours in Afghanistan—one as an Apache helicopter pilot and another as a forward air controller—Harry’s dedication to his fellow servicemen and women is profound.

After his military career, Harry founded The Invictus Games Foundation in 2014, an organization dedicated to helping injured, wounded, and sick servicemen and women, both active-duty and veterans, recover and rebuild through sports. The Invictus Games have since become a global event, uniting competitors from 23 nations and providing year-round support and programming.

Prince Harry Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation at the Honourable Artillery Company on May 07, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, The Invictus Games has grown into a worldwide symbol of resilience, community, and healing. Reflecting on the honor, Harry emphasized that it’s a win for the entire service community.

The foundation’s inception traces back to Harry’s 2012 visit to the U.S., where he attended the Department of Defense’s Warrior Games. Inspired by the power of sport to heal, Harry and co-founder Sir Keith Mills took the idea and, despite early challenges, built The Invictus Games into a beacon of hope for veterans globally.

Prince Harry departs the Rolls Building of the High Court after giving evidence during the Mirror Group phone hacking trial on June 6, 2023, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry now joins a distinguished group of Pat Tillman Award recipients, including past honorees like Jake Wood, Kirstie Ennis, and Marcus Rashford.

Kate Jackson, ESPN’s VP of Production, expressed her excitement about the 2024 honorees, which include Harry, Steve Gleason, who will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, and Dawn Staley, who will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. She praised their efforts to make the world more inclusive for marginalized communities and commended their resilience and positivity.

Prince Harry attends The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry’s deep connection with the Armed Forces, a hallmark of his life, aligns him with other royal family members who maintain strong ties with military units. Despite his departure from official military roles, Harry continues to serve through his work with veterans.

In May, King Charles III appointed Prince William as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, a position previously held by Harry. The timing of this announcement, coinciding with Harry’s visit to the U.K. for the Invictus Games’ tenth anniversary, sparked public interest and speculation, particularly given the ongoing tensions between Harry and his father, King Charles III.

Prince Harry attends The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Despite these tensions, Harry’s spokesperson acknowledged that a meeting with his father during his visit was not possible due to the King’s busy schedule, which included returning to public duties following a cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, Harry remains hopeful for a reunion with his father in the future.