When it comes to royal controversies, Prince Harry emerges as the king. The news of the Duke of Sussex being inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation Hall of Fame has once again divided public opinion.
Every year, since 2003, individuals who have contributed immensely to the field of aviation are inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation Hall of Fame. This year, four individuals have been selected for this honour: Prince Harry, Fred George, Marc Parent and Steve Hinton. The ceremony will be held January 19 in Beverly Hills, California and will be hosted by legendary Hollywood star John Travolta, who is also the Official Ambassador of Aviation.
Since the news of Prince Harry’s induction broke out last week, it has sparked a raging debate about whether he deserves to stand alongside national heroes such as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Bud Anderson in the Aviation Hall of Fame.
The Living Legends of Aviation Hall of Fame
The Living Legends of Aviation Hall of Fame was conceptualised by Jerry Lips, publisher of Airport Journals, in 2003 to recognise the achievements of individuals in the aviation industry. The rights to organize the awards were bought by Kiddie Hawk Air Academy in 2008. Individuals who have made significant contributions to the aviation sector in any capacity are inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation Hall of Fame.
Besides astronauts and celebrity pilots, the list comprises record breakers like Fred George, a Navy pilot and a renowned aviation writer with a record of over 300 carrier landings; or aviation entrepreneurs like Marc Parent, who was appointed President and CEO of CAE in 2009 and has expanded the company’s operations from simulations to include training and support services for commercial and business aviation since; or American aviator Steve Hinton, who held a world speed record from 1979 to 1989 and has worked on 100 motion pictures and TV productions as a pilot.
What is Prince Harry’s contribution to the aviation industry?
Prince Harry is a British Army veteran, having spent a decade in the British military. From 2012-2013, he served as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan. The Duke of Sussex also flew training missions in the US, UK and Australia. A statement published on the Living Legend of Aviation website credits the Prince for “saving the lives of allied forces and countless civilians” during his combat missions in Afghanistan. Another remarkable feat of the rebel British royal has been the creation of the Invictus Games for wounded service members and veterans around the world.
The Invictus Games Foundation is a way to bring purpose back into the lives of injured or sick servicemen and women around the world and give them a new identity through sports. It is, as the website of the Foundation states, “a recovery pathway” that provides “opportunities for post-traumatic growth” to the wounded. Says the Prince: Our Invictus Games community represents some of the bravest and most dedicated individuals from 23 nations across the globe.
Heart of Invictus is the incredible story of competitors brought together through service, who are now united through sport. While in various stages of recovery from both visible and invisible injuries, these competitors and their loved ones give a compelling look at their journey to the Invictus Games, in a way that commands admiration and respect.
Why the controversy?
The selection of Prince Harry as one of the awardees has not gone down too well with a number of people, including retired British servicemen, who expressed their displeasure over his selection as, according to them, the Prince has not accomplished anything extraordinary to be called a Living Legend of Aviation.
Admiral Lord Alan West, Britain’s former Chief of Naval Staff, told the Daily Mail that the Duke of Sussex ‘is not a living legend of aviation.’ To suggest he is, is pathetic.
As per a report published on mercurynews.com,
West has served during the Cold War and the Falklands War and also oversaw the Royal Navy and Royal Marines when U.K. forces assisted U.S. operations in the invasion of Iraq, reports the website. In his interview to the Daily Mail, he categorically stated that the Prince “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. I find the whole thing really rather pathetic.”
West is not alone in his criticism of Prince Harry’s being called a Living Legend, he is joined by some other prominent British military officers who viewed the event as “celebrities massaging each other’s egos.”
Prince Harry courting controversy is not a new phenomenon. Last year, too, his memoir Spare, in which the beleaguered Prince wrote about his service in Afghanistan, resulted in a backlash. Elaborating on his missions to Afghanistan, the Prince writes: “So my number: 25. It was not something that filled me with satisfaction, but I was not ashamed either.”
Though the declaration of this kill count incensed many, who accused the Prince of “boasting” of his time in service, Prince Harry clarified on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert last January that the declaration of the kill count was an attempt on his behalf to reduce veteran suicides. During the interview, he said, “I made a choice to share it, because having spent nearly two decades working with veterans all around the world, I think the most important thing is to be honest and to be able to give space to others to be able to share their experiences without any shame.”
Should the Prince be crowned a Living Legend? Write your comments below.
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