Prince Harry is set to be named a 'Living Legend of Aviation' in a "farcical" move that means "every pilot should get...
Prince Harry is set to be named a 'Living Legend of Aviation' in a "farcical" move that means "every pilot should get an award", according to one expert.
It has been revealed that the royal – who flew combat missions in Afghanistan – will be recognised for his contribution to aviation and aerospace at the 21st annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards next week.
The glitzy awards will be held next Friday in Beverly Hills and will be hosted by Hollywood actor and qualified pilot John Travolta. The duke, 39, completed two tours of Afghanistan as a forward air controller and an Apache helicopter pilot, having flown countless training missions in the UK, US and Australia.
He served for 10 years in the military, rising to the rank of Captain, but royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams thinks the award is "farcical".
Fitzwilliams told the Daily Star: "It is made clear that it is also for his humanitarian work including the Invictus Games, but it is truly farcical that he becomes a 'living legend'.
"He did indeed carry out two tours of duty in Afghanistan, but why he should be given a special award and his name mentioned alongside aviation greats is beyond me. On this basis every pilot should surely receive this award. Ridiculous!"
And some former army personnel agree with Fitzwilliams.
Retired military officer Colonel Richard Kemp said the award is just "celebrities massaging each other’s egos".
He told The Sun: "He was a gunner in an Apache helicopter in Afghanistan but so were many, many other people.
“I can think of many people who did pretty extraordinary things while serving in the British and American armed forces which would be much more deserving of an award like this.
“It is obviously because of who he is – not what he did. An Apache is crewed by two people – a pilot and a gunner. Harry was a gunner. He was number two in the aircraft."
Former recipients of the award include Top Gun actor Tom Cruise and Moon landing astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
