John Travolta was reportedly the driving force behind Prince Harry’s appointment as a ‘Living Legend of Aviation’ due to a ‘strong emotional bond and connection’ with the Duke through his friendship with the late Princess Diana.
Travolta, 69, is said to be one of the “strongest supporters” of Harry being honored at tomorrow’s event during a selection process among existing honorees 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, believes Diana’s sons have continued her legacy of charity work.
And the insider hit back at accusations that Harry’s award was a publicity stunt or had to do with his royal status, describing the suggestion as ‘disgraceful’.
Prince Harry is named ‘Living Legend of Aviation’
John Travolta was reportedly the driving force behind Prince Harry’s appointment as a ‘Living Legend of Aviation’ due to a ‘strong emotional bond and connection’ with the Duke through his friendship with the late Princess Diana
Diana and Travolta once famously danced together at a White House dinner in an iconic moment in 1985 – reportedly a highlight of the Hollywood actor’s life
“Harry’s name was put forward because of his amazing dedication to helping people inside and outside the military, and to promoting awareness of the triumphs and trials of that life,” the source said. The mirror.
‘But he stands strong as a philanthropist. Any suggestion of this as a publicity stunt is an outrageous and insulting suggestion.
‘John was obviously supportive of Harry and supported his appointment. He always felt a connection, especially because he and Diana enjoyed that moment in pop culture history by dancing in the White House.”
A top military veteran had described the Duke of Sussex’s award as a “pathetic” publicity stunt.
Retired senior officers say that while Harry was rightly praised for flying an army helicopter in Afghanistan, it was his royal status that saw him chosen over hundreds of equally worthy pilots.
Colorado-based Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, the organization behind Harry’s gong, is a nonprofit organization that aims to spark an interest in aviation among 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 in setting up the Invictus Games Foundation will also be celebrated. It is not clear whether Harry or his wife Meghan will attend.
Retired officer Colonel Richard Kemp (pictured) said Harry was ‘a brave guy’ and his role in Afghanistan was ‘undoubtedly very dangerous’. But he said there are “helicopter pilots who have done far more extraordinary things in Iraq and Afghanistan, risking their lives to save 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 read: ‘Prince Harry is a humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate and environmentalist. He has dedicated his life to advancing causes he is passionate about and that create permanent change for people and places.”
Harry completed two tours of Afghanistan as a forward air controller and as a co-pilot gunner on an Apache helicopter. He served in the army for ten years and rose to the rank of captain.
Commenting on Harry’s award, 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 it all a bit nonsense when they are willing to choose someone like Prince Harry.
“He didn’t perform any great exciting feats of amazing flying skills while flying for the Army. They’re just trying to get publicity. They know it will cause an uproar.”
Retired officer Colonel Richard Kemp said Harry was “a brave guy” and that his role in Afghanistan was “undoubtedly very dangerous”.
But he said there are “helicopter pilots who have done far more extraordinary things in Iraq and Afghanistan, risking their lives to save their fellow soldiers.”