KEEPING SCHTUM
Prince Harry makes NO reference to dad King Charles or Kate Middleton’s health shock in aviation hall of fame speech
The Duke also made a joke about his mum's iconic moment with John Travolta
PRINCE Harry made no reference to dad King Charles or Kate Middleton's health shock in his aviation hall of fame speech.
The Duke of Sussex accepted the Living Legend of Aviation award at a ceremony hosted by John Travolta in Beverly Hills, California, on Friday.
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It is the first time he has been seen in public since Kate Middleton's abdominal surgery and King Charles' enlarged prostate diagnosis.
Kate is expected to stay at the private London Clinic for up to 14 days before going home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
And yesterday morning, King Charles was seen for the first time since the Palace revealed he faces prostate treatment in just a few days.
But the Duke of Sussex made no mention of his family's recent hospital visits.
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Instead, Harry made a joke about John Travolta, who famously danced with his mum Diana, at The White House in 1985.
"I was one years old when you danced with my mum, as you told everybody here and continue to dine out on that probably every single night. But look at us now," Harry said of the iconic moment.
"If we're not going to dance together, we'll fly together."
He went on to thank the "living legends of aviation for this incredible honour" adding that he is "proud to be recognised among such a dynamic and inspiring group of individuals".
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"For me, flying has been a transcendent experience," Harry said.
"A close encounter with magic, an invitation to both protect freedom… and to feel free; and, funny enough, an opportunity to ground oneself, without actually being grounded.
"I find my flight training — which was over the course of three years— to be one of life’s greatest lessons. In this lesson, it triggered a vast array of feelings!"
Harry was not accompanied by wife Meghan, who had been expected to attend.
She was not present as one of their children became unwell, according to PA.
It came one day after Prince Harry withdrew his libel case against the Mail on Sunday over a security row.
Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe said that "Prince Harry is a global icon no matter what".
He added: "Getting an award of this level is wonderful and that's a good match."
Film director Catherine Hardwicke exclusively told The Sun that Harry's speech was "beautiful and powerful".
She added: "Harry talked about touching magic and it is magical when you think of a big crazy airplane up in the sky.
"He talked about taking off and being up in God's playground - it was inspiring."
Speaking of the connection between John Travolta and Harry she added: "That was a really sweet and warm moment between the two of them."
California-based Harry's award comes after a tumultuous week for the royal family on the other side of the Atlantic.
Princess Kate is recovering in hospital from planned abdominal surgery.
Kate's husband Prince William, 41, visited her at the clinic yesterday afternoon.
The 42-year-old princess is also being supported by a dependable A-team - from royal besties to college pals.
Charles, 75, sought treatment for an enlarged prostate and will be admitted to hospital next week for surgery.
The non-profit Kiddie Hawk Academy set up the event to honour those who make significant contributions to aviation and aerospace.
Its star-studded ceremony was opened by Hollywood legend Travolta, who said he was "so glad" to welcome the likes of "Jeff Bezos, William Shatner, Kurt Russell, General Patrick Brady, Morgan Freeman and the Duke of Sussex".
The prince, who was seen beaming in a selfie alongside Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe at the Beverly Hills Hilton at the start of the night, will take his place alongside other "Legends of Aviation" including Moon landing astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
But Harry's award sparked fury among military experts who believe the Duke of Sussex doesn't deserve it.
Retired military officer Colonel Richard Kemp said Prince Harry falls short in military accomplishments to be entitled to the award, which he slammed as an exercise in "celebrities massaging each other’s egos."
And Colonel Kemp claimed that the Duke was only "number two" in his helicopter in Afghanistan.
The Duke 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 Australia.
In Afghanistan, he acted as a Forward Air Controller from 2007 to 2008 and as an Apache Pilot from 2012 to 2013, and was stationed on occasion at Camp Bastion.
During his time in combat, he qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2011.
However, Colonel Kemp claimed that the Duke was only "number two" in his helicopter in Afghanistan, saying: "He was a gunner in an Apache helicopter in Afghanistan but so were many, many other people."
In his speech, Harry went on to recall his time in the military, remembering his "trust in the aircraft," his "fellow comrades" and "above all else, trust in myself".
And he noted that while "this award recognises the achievements of individuals, it is important to remember that aviation only advances by celebrating each and every person".
"Remarkable feats continue to be achieved— proving literally that the sky is no longer the limit," he said.
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"But we are only as good as the sum of our parts."
A new "Legend" is inducted into the hall of fame whenever a current one dies.
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