Prince Harry, the former royal who relinquished his duties and relocated to California with his wife Meghan Markle, is encountering a significant setback.
Numerous aviation icons have declined invitations to attend his award ceremony.
Scheduled to take place on January 19, 2024, in Beverly Hills, the Duke of Sussex is set to be honored with the Living Legend of Aviation Award, presented by none other than John Travolta.
This prestigious accolade, bestowed by a group of 100 self-appointed aviation and aerospace luminaries, aims to commend individuals with exceptional achievements in the field.
However, the decision to bestow this honor upon Prince Harry, who served as a helicopter pilot in the British Army for a decade, has been met with derision and scorn by many aviation experts and enthusiasts.
Critics have lambasted the choice to celebrate Prince Harry, labeling it as a sham and a source of amusement.
They argue that his flying experiences and accomplishments pale in comparison to past recipients of the award, such as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Chuck Yeager, and Amelia Earhart.
Among those who have declined attendance at the award ceremony is Bob Hoover, a revered test pilot and air show performer widely regarded as one of the greatest aviators in history.
Expressing his dismay to the Daily Mail, Hoover denounced Prince Harry’s award as appalling, asserting that the prince lacks the credentials to be considered a legend in aviation.
He dismissed Prince Harry as a mere celebrity who undertook a few missions in Afghanistan, emphasizing that such actions do not warrant legendary status.
Renowned aerospace engineer and designer Burt Rutten, known for his innovative aircraft like the Voyager and space ship, also expressed disdain for Prince Harry’s award.
Rutten criticized the prince as a hypocrite who fails to live up to his purported environmental concerns, given his use of private jets and extravagant lifestyle.
Patti Wagstaff, a three-time U.S. national aerobatic champion, echoed these sentiments, questioning Prince Harry’s claim to aviation legend status.
She highlighted his focus on tabloid fame and Netflix projects over genuine contributions to the field.
The critics have raised doubts about Prince Harry’s credibility as an aviation advocate, particularly in light of his and Meghan Markle’s perceived environmental hypocrisy.
The couple’s ostensible commitment to climate change initiatives has been called into question due to their jet-setting lifestyle and opulent accommodations.
Furthermore, Prince Harry’s award coincides with a period of declining popularity and tarnished reputation for him and Meghan Markle, following their controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey and subsequent projects.
Despite the backlash and skepticism surrounding his award, Prince Harry has remained silent on the matter.
However, he is anticipated to attend the ceremony in Beverly Hills alongside Meghan Markle and their children.
The event is also expected to draw other notable figures such as Elon Musk, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, and more.
As the date approaches, the controversy surrounding Prince Harry’s aviation honor continues to reverberate within the industry and beyond.
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