Royal Family

Prince Harry's a humble, stand-up guy who blends in as just another fellow veteran, making him deserving of the Pat Tillman Award for Service ... a former recipient tells us amid the outrage over ESPN's decision to honor the royal.

U.S. Marine Jake Wood, who won the award in 2018, tells TMZ veterans who've interacted with Prince Harry through his Invictus Games efforts say he's as real as it gets. There's no air of superiority ... he just wants to sit, swap war stories, and ensure everyone's taken care of, he says.

No doubt in Jake's eyes, Harry's down-to-earth nature, on top of him devoting a large chunk of his post-military life to veterans, solidifies his worthiness for the award.

Prince Harry has key figures in his corner amid the outrage over ESPN's decision to honor him with the Pat Tillman Award for Service -- at least 2 former winners say Harry is definitely deserving.

Jake Wood, a U.S. Marine and former college football player who won the award in 2018, tells TMZ … the Duke of Sussex is a natural fit for the Tillman honor because of Harry's military service and his dedication to veterans.

Jake feels Prince Harry is a good choice because he's dedicated his life to serving and supporting the military and veterans -- Harry served 2 tours in Afghanistan -- and that should be commended because there are hundreds of different ways a British royal could live his life.

ESPN is standing firm in its decision to honor Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at this month's ESPYs ... doubling down and saying the Duke of Sussex is a rightful recipient of the honor.

As we previously reported, Tillman's mother, Mary, was dissatisfied with this year's pick for the award ... saying there were plenty of lesser-known candidates that deserve some recognition -- and referring to Harry as "controversial and divisive" in the process.

ESPN talent Pat McAfee also dogged the selection ... claiming it felt like the network was purposely trying to strike a controversy.

Prince Harry isn't fit to receive the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPYs, and it's shocking ESPN let him ... at least, that's what the late veteran's mother thinks.

Mary Tillman -- mom to former NFL safety Pat Tillman who joined the U.S. Army after 9/11 and died in a friendly fire incident -- spoke to Daily Mail about ESPN choosing Prince Harry to receive the ESPY named in Pat's honor ... and, suffice to say, she's not happy with the decision.

Tillman says, "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award."

The Prince of Wales boogied his ass off to Taylor Swift's music during her London concert Friday -- and we have the video to prove it!!!

Last night, Prince William celebrated his 42nd birthday by attending the pop star's sold-out Eras Tour performance at Wembley Stadium with his two eldest royal children ... George and Charlotte.

Check out the footage ... one of Taylor's gazillion fans used a cell phone camera to capture the prince rocking out to her famous tune, "Shake It Off."

Prince William and his kids appear to be Swifties ... because the Prince of Wales reportedly took the kiddos to Taylor Swift's 'Eras' Tour concert in London.

William was in the house Friday night for Taylor's show, with his 2 eldest children in tow ... George and Charlotte ... at least according to a report from across the pond. Royal reporter Roya Nikkhah says PW is at the London shindig with the kiddos, ringing in his born day.

Taylor's London performance happened to land on William's 42nd birthday ... so it seems like this was his big bday present. They've rubbed elbows before BTW, but that was way back in 2013.

Kate Middleton is shifting the spotlight off her health issues and onto her hubby Prince William -- who turned 42 today ... and who got a helluva shout-out from KM.

The Princess of Wales marked the special occasion by dropping a photo on X Friday, showing Wills and the kids -- Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis -- rocking casual gear and jumping for joy at a beach.

She captioned her post with this ... "Happy birthday Papa, we all love you so much! Cx." From the looks of it, Kate might've snapped this at UK's Norfolk Beach ... where Wills and the kids were rocking the same outfits in a similar shot for Father's Day just a few days ago.

Kate Middleton made her long-awaited return to the spotlight Saturday amid her cancer battle ... but Meghan Markle tried stealing her thunder -- so says one royal expert.

We talked to Jonathan Sacerdoti on "TMZ Live" Monday ... where he broke down the Princess of Wales' appearance at the Trooping the Colour celebration -- and what it meant for the Royal Family, and more importantly ... why he thinks Meg wanted in on the attention.

He says Princess Kate joining her husband, Prince William, and their children on Buckingham Palace's famed balcony amid her health struggles reminded the public why they love the royals ... but slammed MM for trotting out new jams right around the same time.

Prince William's remembering the good old days on Father's Day ... posting a rare throwback photo of himself with his dad, King Charles.

The Prince of Wales shared the snap, featuring a him as a small Royal running around a garden while his father -- looking tall and stylish in a dapper suit -- supervises.

Will's got a huge grin on his face ... and, even his usually stoic dad's cracking a smile -- a rare sight for the King of England. William addressed His Royal Highness informally in the caption, calling him "Pa."

Kate Middleton just made her much-anticipated return to the spotlight after her cancer diagnosis earlier this year -- and, as expected, the eyes of the world were watching her every move.

The Princess of Wales announced Friday that she would attend Saturday's Trooping the Colour Ceremony in London -- and she didn't disappoint and appeared as elegant as ever.

Check out the photos ... Kate was chauffeured to the event with her hubby, Prince William, and their two sons, Prince George and Prince Louis, along with their daughter Princess Charlotte. Kate was decked out in a classy white dress and a wide brimmed hat with some pricey jewelry.

Kate Middleton just came out and confirmed TMZ's reporting -- namely, that her cancer treatments are going well ... and more importantly, that she'll be out in public tomorrow.

The Princess of Wales just posted a lengthy statement, in which she provides a pretty extensive health update after she announced she's battling cancer earlier this year. It's good news here ... as KM says she'll be in attendance for the Trooping of Colour parade Saturday.

Kate writes, "I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well."

There's good news about Kate Middleton's health as she battles cancer ... and the bottom line is, she'll be back in the public eye soon.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Kate's treatments -- which included chemotherapy -- have gone well over the last 3 months. So well, in fact, that she and the Palace are planning for her to resurface in public ... possibly as soon as this weekend.

The big question for folks in the UK has been, "Where's Kate?" ... as she's rarely been seen since she made the announcement in March that she's battling a form of cancer.

King Charles' portrait got a bit of a facelift -- an animal rights group threw some artwork over it in a museum as an act of protest ... and now, Chuck looks a bit stop-motion-y.

HRH's fiery painting -- which is currently on display in London at the Philip Mould Gallery -- was vandalized Tuesday by a couple of demonstrators who stormed in and did a quick hit job on the artwork ... and while it wasn't all that destructive, it did leave an impression.

Check out the video posted by Animal Rising -- the group taking credit for this criminal act ... two guys walk up, plaster a 'Wallace and Gromit' face cutout, plus a quote bubble.

Kate Middleton's sending her regrets to an iconic English military squadron ... apologizing for not attending an annual tradition months after announcing her cancer diagnosis.

The Princess of Wales sent a letter to the Irish Guards earlier this week -- which they posted to X -- applauding them for their vigorous training and preparation for the Colonel's Review ... a last-minute rehearsal for a much larger parade.

Middleton -- who serves as the regiment's colonel ceremoniously, and would usually attend and salute the men before an event called Trooping the Colour -- then apologizes for not being able to come this year. While she doesn't give a reason, it's pretty clear her health's keeping her away.

John Lennon's son has finally read Prince Harry's memoir ... and he's crapping on it.

Sean Ono Lennon -- John and Yoko Ono's only kid -- says he's cracked open the Duke of Sussex's memoir, a year after its release, and he was left underwhelmed by the tell-all, writing ... "My long awaited review of Prince Harry’s autobiography is two words. 'Spare Me.'"

As fans of the prince hit back at Sean's criticism in his comments, the musician doubled down, calling the prince "a buffoon" and an "idiot" in replies to various people online.