The mother of a US war hero killed in Afghanistan has criticised the decision to give Prince Harry an award honouring her dead son.

Harry will receive the memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman – an American football star who gave up a £3million contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11 – in Hollywood next month.

But the soldier’s mother Mary said she was not consulted, adding: ‘I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.

‘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.’

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Harry will receive a memorial award at the ESPY Awards

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The award honours Pat Tillman (pictured) whose mother, Mary, said she was not consulted

The ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) is run by the sports TV network ESPN and the Pat Tillman Award has previously been given to unsung heroes.

Last year it went to members of the Buffalo Bills American football team training staff who revived a dying player on the field.

ESPN said Harry was being honoured for his ‘tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport’ with his Invictus Games.

But the decision to honour him has led to a backlash. A petition yesterday demanded ESPN to think again, claiming Harry had been ‘involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude’.

It says: ‘Awarding this honour to someone who does not reflect the award’s intent diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman’s memory.’

Pat Tillman was hailed in the US after giving up his lucrative career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist as an Army Ranger.

He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for bravery.

One signatory of the petition, Tania Smith, said ‘Pat Tillman embodied service and sacrifice, doing his patriotic duty’ but ‘Harry represents none of these qualities’.

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Members of the Buffalo Bills American football team accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service. Training staff revived a dying player on the field

She added: ‘He publicly disrespected his family, ran away from service to his country as a royal… He is unworthy of this award.’

A source said: ‘It’s incredibly hurtful that the family had no say in this. Pat Tillman was a unifying force for good. Harry is divisive… There are many unsung heroes who are far more deserving.’

The prince’s Archewell organisation was approached for comment.

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Prince Harry’s former biographer Angela Levin said the move to oust Harry would be a crushing blow to the Duke of Sussex.

Levin said many in the Invictus Games set-up had become disgruntled with Meghan Markle’s involvement (Image: Getty)

A royal expert has said that Invictus Games could decide to oust Prince Harry amid concerns that the sports event had become “too royal”.

Invictus could also be lining up Mike Tindall, a former rugby union player, to take over from Harry in a shock move.

Royal biographer Angela Levin made the bombshell remarks during an interview with GB News.

She suggested that Mr Tindall, who is married to Zara Tindall, the niece of King Charles, had already been drafted in as an ambassador of the games.

Prince Harry’s former biographer claimed that there had been mutiny at the charity, which allows wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women to compete at a multi-sport event.

Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Tindall, the niece of King Charles (Image: Getty)

Ms Levin revealed that many in the Invictus Games set-up had become disgruntled with Meghan Markle’s involvement.

She explained: “Mike Tindall has been made a patron of the Invictus Games. I wonder if that is a way to ease Harry out. He has been very nice about Harry.

“It has become too royal. Much too royal. Meghan makes the speeches and she actually led a march with some of the ex-military people who were either physically, emotionally or psychologically damaged during their fighting.

“They were very upset. She knows nothing about how to march and she looked like she was at a dress show. They don’t want that or to hear she is late because she had to give her children a milkshake for three days.

“She gave a speech about how to be strong and fight against things which I think was rather insulting. It has taken away from what is the idea, which is to allow these people to live another life. Harry was marvellous with these people and showing that life is worth living. Now it’s all about Meghan and Harry follows behind.”

The Duke of Sussex returns to the UK in just over a week for a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Harry will attend the thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on May 8, where he will give a reading.

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The next games will be held in Vancouver, Canada, in 2025. (Image: Getty)

He was last seen in the UK in February for a brief visit to see King Charles after his cancer diagnosis, and next week marks the first major event he will have attended in the UK for some time.

The prince first launched the Invictus Games in 2014 in partnership with the Ministry of Defence.

The next games will be held in Vancouver, Canada, in 2025.