Fury as Prince Harry to be named ‘Legend of Aviation’ alongside icons Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin at swanky ceremony
PRINCE Harry is set to be named a ‘Legend of Aviation’ for his work as a British Army veteran and pilot – sparking fury among fans.
Harry will be inducted next Friday at an awards ceremony hosted by actor and aviation ambassador John Travolta in Beverly Hills, California.
The event was set up to honour those who make significant contributions to aviation and aerospace.
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.
Harry will take his place alongside other aviation and aerospace “legends” including Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
But the award has sparked fury among aviation fans – who believe Harry does not deserve it.
One person wrote: “This is beyond embarrassing now. Prince Harry never even passed his pilots exam!
“And you paid to get him inducted alongside Buzz Aldrin & Neil Armstrong? What an insult & mockery to real legends. This is shameful & cheap but I guess that’s where you are.”
Another added: “What do you feel British Prince Harry did to receive this honour that other people who fought in wars did not? Why is Prince Harry a legend like Neil Armstrong?”
A third fumed: “Harry tried to become certified as a helicopter pilot, but after training for three years to become an Army Air Corps Pilot, Harry gave up on being a pilot.
“Harry later qualified to be an Apache helicopter commander, which does sound impressive, but he was just a co-pilot gunner.”
Other aerospace icons set to be inducted alongside Harry this year include US navy pilot Fred George and former world speed record holder Steve Hinton.
The event’s website also praised the duke for his work with charities and organisations including Travalyst, Sentebale, African Parks, WellChild and the Invictus Games.
A statement on the event’s website said: “A British Army veteran and pilot with ten years military service, flying training missions in the USm UK and Austarlia, as well as combat missions ion Afghanistan saving the lives of allied forces and countless civillians, and creator of the Invictus Games for wounded service members and veterans around the world.”
His brother, William, Prince of Wales, trained with the RAF as a search and rescue pilot in 2009, before becoming an air ambulance pilot for East Anglian Air Ambulance for two years from March 2015.