Prince Harry to be named Living Legend of Aviation for his work in British army

Prince Harry previously explained that leaving the firm for the military was the first time in his life he felt "normal" and he relished the "challenges" he undertook in that time. Picture: REUTERS/John Stillwell/Pool

Prince Harry previously explained that leaving the firm for the military was the first time in his life he felt "normal" and he relished the "challenges" he undertook in that time. Picture: REUTERS/John Stillwell/Pool

Published Jan 11, 2024

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Prince Harry is to be named a Living Legend of Aviation for his work in the British Army.

The 39-year-old royal - who is now married to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and relinquished royal duties in 2020 in favour of a life in LA - served in the army for 10 years from 2004 and ultimately rose to captain.

Now, he will be honoured for his achievements and will be inducted at an awards ceremony next Friday, in an event to be hosted by 'Grease' star and aviation ambassador John Travolta.

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 - who now has children Archie, four, and two-year-old Lilibet with the former 'Suits' actress - completed two tours of Afghanistan as a forward air controller and an Apache helicopter pilot.

His brother, Prince William - who is now married to Catherine, Princess of Wales, and has Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis with her - trained with the RAF as a search and rescue pilot in 2009 and in 2015, he became an air ambulance pilot for East Anglian Air Ambulance, where he stayed for two years.

Prince Harry previously explained that leaving the firm for the military was the first time in his life he felt "normal" and he relished the "challenges" he undertook in that time.

Speaking on '60 Minutes', he told Anderson Cooper: "My military career saved me in many regard. It] got me out of the spotlight from the UK press. I was able to focus on a purpose larger than myself, to be wearing the same uniform as everybody else, to feel normal for the first time in my life.

"And accomplish some of the biggest challenges that I ever had. You know, I was training to become an Apache helicopter pilot. You don't get a pass for being a prince. There's no prince autopilot button you can press and just whff - takes you away."