John Travolta was reportedly the driving force behind Prince Harry being named as a ‘Living Legend of Aviation’ because of a ‘strong emotional link and connection’ to the Duke through his friendship with the late Princess Diana.
Travolta, 69, was said to be one of the ‘biggest supporters’ of Harry being honoured at tomorrow’s event during a selection process among existing honourees and committee members.
Diana and Travolta famously danced together at a White House dinner in an iconic moment in 1985 – said to be a highlight of the Hollywood actor’s life.
A source connected to the event said Travolta, who won The Living Legends Ambassador of Aviation award in 2007, feels that Diana’s sons have continued her legacy for charitable work.
And the insider hit back at accusations Harry’s award was a publicity stunt or down to his royal status, describing the suggestion as ‘disgraceful’.
Prince Harry is set to be named as a ‘Living Legend of Aviation’
John Travolta was reportedly the driving force behind Prince Harry being named as a ‘Living Legend of Aviation’ because of a ‘strong emotional link and connection’ to the Duke through his friendship with the late Princess Diana
Diana and Travolta once famously danced together at White House dinner in an iconic moment in 1985 – said to be a highlight of the Hollywood actor’s life
‘Harry’s name was put forward because of his astonishing commitment to helping those in and out of the military, promoting awareness of the triumphs and travails of that life,’ the source told The Mirror.
‘But he stands tall as a philanthropist. Any suggestion of this as a publicity stunt is a disgraceful and offensive suggestion.
‘Of course, John was an advocate for Harry and supported his nomination. He has always felt a connection to him, especially because he and Diana enjoyed that moment of pop culture history by dancing at the White House.’
A top military veteran had described the Duke of Sussex’s accolade as a ‘pathetic’ publicity stunt.
Retired senior officers say that while Harry was rightly applauded for flying an Army helicopter in Afghanistan, it is his Royal status which had seen him chosen over hundreds of equally worthy pilots.
Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, based in Colorado, the organisation behind Harry’s gong, is a non-profit which seeks to spark an interest in aviation in young people.
Harry will be inducted as a ‘Living Legend of Aviation’ on Friday at an awards ceremony hosted by John Travolta in Beverly Hills, California. The duke’s work setting up the Invictus Games Foundation will also be celebrated. It is not clear if Harry or his wife Meghan will attend.
Retired officer Colonel Richard Kemp (pictured) said that Harry was ‘a brave guy’ and his role in Afghanistan was ‘undoubtedly very dangerous’. But he said that there are ‘helicopter pilots who have done much more extraordinary things in Iraq and Afghanistan, risking their lives to rescue their fellow soldiers’
Harry will be inducted as a ‘Living Legend of Aviation’ at an awards ceremony hosted by John Travolta in Beverly Hills, California
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.’
Harry completed two tours of Afghanistan as a forward air controller and an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner. He served in the Army for ten years, rising to the rank of captain.
Reacting to Harry’s accolade, Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, said: ‘He is not a living legend of aviation. To suggest he is is pathetic. It makes the whole thing seem a bit of a nonsense if they’re willing to pick someone like Prince Harry.
‘He didn’t carry off any great exciting feat of amazing flying skill while flying for the Army. They’re just trying to get publicity. They know it will cause a stir.’
Retired officer Colonel Richard Kemp said that Harry was ‘a brave guy’ and his role in Afghanistan was ‘undoubtedly very dangerous’.
But he said that there are ‘helicopter pilots who have done much more extraordinary things in Iraq and Afghanistan, risking their lives to rescue their fellow soldiers’.