19 January 2024 , 09:57
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Prince Harry will soon join the likes of Elon Musk, John Travolta and Tom Cruise as he's set to become a Living Legend of Aviation.
The Duke of Sussex will be honoured at tonight's annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards for his contribution to aviation and aerospace while working as a British Army veteran and pilot. Harry completed two tours of Afghanistan as a forward air controller and an Apache helicopter pilot.
Harry will be among some big name celebrities when he receives his award. In 2022, William Shatner won the Aviation Inspiration and Patriotism Award, something that has previously been given to Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman.
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Prince Harry is being honoured for his contribution to aviation (AFP/Getty Images)Kurt Russell and Harrison Ford are also members of the elite club. In 2018, Jeff Bezos was honoured and received a lifetime aviation entrepreneur award, with Elon Musk and Richard Branson previously taking home the trophy.
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The 21st annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards will take place this evening in Beverly Hills. They will be hosted by Hollywood actor and qualified pilot John Travolta..
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. A statement on the event's website said: "Prince Harry is a humanitarian, military veteran, mental wellness advocate and environmentalist. He has dedicated his life to advancing causes that he is passionate about and that bring about permanent change for people and places."
The awards are produced by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a non-profit which aims to "educate children about and spark their interest in aviation." Tonight's ceremony will kick off with a cocktail reception at 6pm followed by a dinner at 7pm and the awards at 8pm.
Elon Musk won an award in 2009 (Getty Images)The Living Legends of Aviation Awards has faced some controversy for their decision to honour Harry. Some critics have suggested Harry is only receiving an award "because of who he is - not what he did".
PR expert Ryan McCormick has suggested Harry needs to reconsider whether he accepts the honour. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Ryan said: "The international outrage surrounding Prince Harry set to be inducted into 21st Annual Living Legends of Aviation is growing by the day. The ALLA likely thought in theory that inducting Harry would be a smart PR move which would raise awareness of their organisation.
"They definitely succeeded but, in all the wrong ways. More people know about them but now their credibility is being scrutinised." However, Ryan suggested they "still have time to turn this negative into a positive".
Harry will join the likes of Angelina Jolie (2019 Getty Images)He explained: "If Harry announces that he cannot accept his award and gives it to another credible and respected hero in aviation, it will be perceived as an honourable gesture. ALLA will save face and The Duke of Sussex will have a brief reprieve from the public backlash."
It's also been revealed that Princess Diana's dance partner and Hollywood star John Travolta was the driving force behind Harry being inducted into the aviation Hall of Fame. John was one of the "biggest supporters" for the Duke Of Sussex being honoured at tonight's event during the selection process among existing honourees and committee members.
John maintains a "strong emotional link and connection" to Harry through his friendship with his mother Princess Diana. Insiders at the Living Legends of Aviation insist that "humbled" Harry, 39, was not just selected for his "military service" but also for his global work promoting ex-servicemen with The Invictus Games, mental health advocacy for military personnel and global philanthropy.