Prince Harry, the disgraced former royal who chose a Hollywood lifestyle over his duty in the country, has recently been bestowed with the title of a living legend of aviation by an organization with questionable credibility.
The question arises: Is this award a true acknowledgment of his military service or a strategic PR move orchestrated by his wife, Meghan Markle, to revive their waning relevance and popularity?
Meghan Markle, the former actress and self-proclaimed humanitarian, reportedly paid a staggering $10 million to the Living Legends of Aviation, a group that claims to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the aerospace industry.
Led by John Travolta, the official ambassador of aviation, this organization has previously inducted renowned celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, and Elon Musk into its Hall of Fame.
However, unlike these stars who have either piloted planes themselves or supported aviation causes, Prince Harry’s credentials in this field are questionable at best.
During his second tour of Afghanistan, Prince Harry served as a co-pilot gunner of an Apache helicopter.
In his controversial memoir, he admitted to killing 25 Taliban fighters, describing them as mere chess pieces removed from a board, eliminating the bad guys before they harm the good ones.
This revelation has sparked outrage among veterans and military experts, who accuse Prince Harry of trivializing the horrors of war and showing disrespect for the lives of his enemies.
A retired army colonel, speaking anonymously, expressed his discontent, stating that Harry was merely a gunner, the second person in the aircraft.
He wasn’t even flying it; he was just pressing the trigger.
To label him a legend of aviation is an insult to the real heroes who risked their lives in the air.
Furthermore, Prince Harry’s award has drawn criticism for being a mockery of his late grandfather, Prince Philip, who held a distinguished naval officer position and was an avid aviator.
Prince Philip, who passed away in April 2021, was the first member of the royal family to fly a jet aircraft in a helicopter and had accumulated over 5,000 hours of flying time.
He also held honorary positions in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, and actively supported various aviation charities and organizations.
A columnist for the Daily Express, writing under the pseudonym Richard Palmer, claimed that Prince Philip would be rolling in his grave over his grandson’s recent accolade.
The columnist accused Harry of betraying everything his grandfather stood for: duty, honor, and service.
According to Palmer, Harry has sacrificed his principles for fame and fortune, with Meghan Markle being the mastermind behind it all.
The columnist further alleged that Meghan Markle, who has faced accusations of bullying and manipulation, orchestrated the deal with the Living Legends of Aviation using the money earned from their lucrative contracts with Netflix and Spotify.
Since their move to California in 2020 after relinquishing their royal roles, the couple has struggled to maintain their public image and influence, especially following the disappointing reception of Harry’s book and their podcast.
Meghan Markle is reportedly desperate to keep Harry in the spotlight and portray him as a hero in the humanitarian field.
She recognizes that his military service is the only aspect that lends him some credibility and respect.
Hence, she allegedly purchased this fabricated award to boost his ego and public profile, hoping it will facilitate their integration into the Hollywood elite, who value awards and accolades highly.
This move is seen as shameless and cynical, highlighting the depths they have sunk to.
As of now, the couple has not confirmed their attendance at the ceremony in Beverly Hills scheduled for January 19, nor have they commented on the allegations.
However, some of their fans and supporters have come to Harry’s defense, arguing that he deserves recognition for his work with the Invictus Games, a sporting event he founded in 2014 for wounded veterans.
One supporter on a subreddit expressed admiration, stating that Harry is a genuine living legend of aviation, and they are immensely proud of him and Meghan.