Prince Harry charity chief QUITS in latest blow after ‘privileged’ Duke blasted for collecting award honouring war hero
PRINCE Harry’s charity chief has quit after the Duke was blasted for collecting an award honouring a war hero.
The Duke of Sussex said he was “immensely grateful” to his “friend” Dominic Reid for transforming the Invictus Games Foundation into a global movement.
Dominics resignation comes just days after Harry was blasted for choosing to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYS.
The duke, who founded the Paralympic-style sporting competition in 2014, thanked Dominic for his “dedication and leadership” in a heartfelt note on Friday.
He said: “I am immensely grateful to my friend, Dominic, whose dedication and leadership transformed the Invictus Games from an ambitious idea to an internationally recognised movement.
“His tireless efforts over the past decade have supported thousands of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans through sports rehabilitation, helping to showcase their unparalleled strength and contribution to society.
“Thank you, Dominic, for a decade of relentless service to the Invictus Games Foundation.
“What a journey it has been, and how fortunate we are to work with such an incredible community of people.
“We pray we don’t need the Games for another 10 years, but thanks to you, the team and our future CEO, we will be ready.”
Announcing his decision, Mr Reid said it was “the time for someone new to take this vital movement forward into its second vigorous decade”.
The former soldier said the search for his successor would be an important one and that he looked forward to passing on the baton and continuing to support the foundation.
He added: “Once a member of the Invictus family, you never leave.
“I have delivered the 10-year vision I set out, which includes the introduction of winter sport which is close to my heart as a former biathlete.
“I remain the Pageantmaster of the Lord Mayor’s Show and look forward to the exciting new projects I am developing.”
Mr Reid described it a “privilege to work closely” with Harry.
“His concept, passion, and drive have been instrumental in our success, in particular by focusing attention on mental health in sports rehabilitation.”
Prince Harry's Army career
Prince Harry entered RMAS in May 2005 to begin 44 weeks of Officer Cadet training, this was after passing his Regular Commissions Board (RCB), the qualification necessary to train at Sandhurst, in September 2004.
In January 2006, Clarence House announced he was to join the Blues and Royals, after which he was commissioned as an Army officer on 12 April that year.
The Duke of Sussex served in the Army for ten years, undertaking two tours of Afghanistan.
The father of two rose to the rank of Captain at the peak of his military career which began in 2004.
During his time serving, he qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander.
In his memoir Spare he revealed he flew six missions during his second tour of duty which resulted in “the taking of human lives” of which he was neither proud nor ashamed.
His decision to leave the Army was confirmed in March 2015.
Prince Harry ended his military career at the rank of captain in June 2015, following a secondment to the Australian military.
General Sir Nicholas Carter, the then-Chief of the General Staff, said that Prince Harry had “achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier”.
At the ESPYs last Friday Prince Harry and his wife Meghan received a cheer as they were introduced by close friend and host Serena Williams.
Harry, wearing a dark suit and tie, was sat at the Dolby Theatre alongside the duchess, who wore a long white dress from Staud’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection.
The pair skipped the red carpet before the event after backlash over Harry receiving the prestigious award.
The former head of the Royal Navy had urged the prince to turn the award down and said it doesn’t sit well with people in the military.
Lord West said Harry should think “hard and long” about accepting awards for military bravery.
Even Pat Tillman’s mum, Mary, has previously hit out at the Duke saying there are others “far more fitting” to get the gong.
Harry stayed silent on the criticism during his speech, even thanking Mary directly for her work with the Pat Tillman Foundation – and alluding to the loss of his mum Princess Diana.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother – her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,” he said.
“The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
Harry, 39, received the gong for his Invictus Games work at the star-studded Los Angeles bash.
According to ESPN, the Pat Tillman Award for Service is “given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and US Army Ranger, Pat Tillman”.
What happened to Pat Tillman?
ESPN recounted Tillman's tragic death in 2014 as the 10th anniversary approached.
Tillman was a safety with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals for four seasons before joining the Army.
He enlisted eight months after 3,000 people were killed in the September 11 terror attacks.
Tillman, a California native, turned down a contract offer of $3.6 million when he joined the military.
“The events leading up to one of the most infamous friendly-fire deaths in US military history were rife for second-guessing from the start,” reported ESPN.
“After an Army Humvee broke down in the mountains, Tillman’s platoon was divided by superiors so that the Humvee could be removed; a local truck driver was hired as the hauler.
“But the two groups struggled to communicate with each other as they traversed the steep terrain. And the second group soon became caught in a deafening ambush, receiving fire as it manoeuvred down a narrow, rocky canyon trail.”
A squad leader would misidentify an allied Afghan soldier positioned next to Tillman as the enemy, according to ESPN.
Soldiers would fire upon what Army Ranger Steven Elliott called “shadowy images,” ESPN reported.
The duke was offered the award “in honour of his tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community”.
ESPN said the Invictus Games has “transcended borders and impacted lives across every continent”.
Harry gave an emotional speech as he told the crowd: “The truth is I stand here not as Prince Harry Pat Tillman Award recipient but rather as a voice on behalf of the Invictus Game Foundation,” he told the crowd.
“And the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality
“This award belongs to them not to me.
“It is of great importance to me to highlight these allies and their amazing families for their achievements, their spirit, and their courage at every opportunity.
“Especially on nights like this in front of people like you.
“Moments like these help us reach the people who need Invictus most.
“And reduce more than 20 veterans a day taking their own lives in this country alone.”