A beaming Prince Harry was honored on Friday night for his work as a military pilot at a lavish gala in Los Angeles – stepping out for the first time since his sister-in-law Kate Middleton underwent abdominal surgery, and his father King Charles announced he was being treated for an enlarged prostate.
The prince was in high spirits on Friday, smiling as he joined Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, a 46-year-old member of the Danish royal family, and others at the Beverly Hills Hilton.
Harry, 39, was garlanded as a Living Legend of Aviation at a ceremony hosted by actor and aviation ambassador John Travolta.
The Duke of Sussex 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 .
Prince Harry is seen at the gala on Friday night with Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe
The prince is seen arriving for Friday’s event in Los Angeles
The 39-year-old seemingly attended without his wife, Meghan Markle, for the awards ceremony
Harry is pictured in March 2011 standing in front of an Apache Helicopter a few days after the royal passed the half-decade milestone to become a captain in the British Army
Harry is seen in December 2012 working as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan
He served for 10 years in the military, rising to the rank of Captain, and later founded the Invictus Games – a sporting event for wounded military personnel and veterans.
Harry takes his place alongside other aviation and aerospace ‘legends’ including Buzz Aldrin, Jeff Bezos, Tom Cruise, Neil Armstrong, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman and Elon Musk.
The event’s website also praised the duke for his work with charities and organizations including Travalyst, Sentebale, African Parks and WellChild.
A statement on its 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 was inducted alongside US navy pilot Fred George and former world speed record holder Steve Hinton, as well as Lauren Sanchez – a helicopter pilot who is engaged to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Lauren Sanchez, who founded an aerial filming company in 2016, was also celebrated on Friday night
Sanchez is a helicopter pilot and businesswoman: she joins her fiance Jeff Bezos among those now recognized for their contribution to aviation
She is set to receive the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award for her skills as a helicopter pilot and aviation businesswoman, having founded aerial filming company Black Ops Aviation in 2016.
The duke’s appearance comes as his father, the King, prepared to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate next week, while his sister-in-law the Princess of Wales recovers from abdominal surgery in the London Clinic.
Kate is not expected to resume public duties until well into the spring.