Prince Harry is set to be honoured tonight at the 21st annual Living Legend of Aviation Awards as the Sussexes continue to remain silent on the Royal Family’s health concerns.
Harry will be awarded the Legend of Aviation Award tonight at the event hosted by Hollywood actor and qualified pilot John Travolta.
There has been no word of Harry contacting Kate or King Charles following the announcements regarding their health on Wednesday.
But the Duke of Sussex may have contacted his family in private.
Harry spent 10 years in the military.
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There has been controversy over whether Harry should accept the award as aviation experts brand him as not “extraordinary” enough to be a candidate.
Previous recipients of the Legend of Aviation Award include Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon and his teammate, Buzz Aldrin, the second person to set foot on the moon.
But Harry is still set to receive his award at tonight’s ceremony alongside other nominees including US navy pilot, Fred George, former world speed record holder, Steve Hinton and President and CEO of CAE, Marc Parent.
The awards will begin with cocktails at 7pm (Pacific Standard Time) followed by dinner and the award ceremony at 8pm, as shown on the Living Legends of Aviation website.
There has been controversy over whether Harry should accept the award.
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The award is to honour those who have made a significant contribution to aviation and aerospace.
Harry spent 10 years in the military and rose to the rank of Captain.
Event officials pointed to Harry’s involvement with military charities and organisations to merit his induction.
The website states: “A British Army veteran and pilot with ten years military service, flying training mission in the US, UK and Australia as well as combat missions in Afghanistan saving the lives of allied forces and countless civilians, and creator of the Invictus Games for wounded veterans around the world.”
Harry created the Invictus Games for wounded veterans.
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Harry rose to the rank of Captain in the army.
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However, critics argue that the prince is being awarded because of “who he is-not what he did.”
Retired military officer Colonel Richard Kemp stated: “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.”
PR analyst, Ryan McCormick argued that it would be an “honourable gesture” for Harry to not accept the award as it would give the prince “a brief reprieve from the public backlash.”
Col Kemp continued to tell The Sun: “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.”
