Prince Harry jokes ‘I was terrified’ when his father jumped behind controls of a Wessex Helicopter when he was ‘seven or eight years old’ – as duke reveals his first flight experience at ‘Living Legends of Aviation’ award
Prince Harry joked about how he was ‘terrified’ when his father jumped behind the wheel of a helicopter on his first flight.
The Duke of Sussex was included in the ‘Living Legends of Aviation’ last night at a glitzy ceremony in Los Angeles, where he was asked by host John Travolta about his first flying experience.
The 39-year-old received rapturous applause as he recalled being seven or eight years old when he excitedly jumped into a Wessex helicopter.
Harry joked: ‘But then my dad jumped after me and I was terrified.’
The audience burst into laughter and applause in response to the prince’s joke, which also included whistling. You also hear someone else mutter ‘excellent’.
Prince Harry was inducted into the ‘Living Legends of Aviation’ last night at a glitzy ceremony in Los Angeles, where host John Travolta asked him about his first flying experience
Harry is pictured next to his father in front of an Apache helicopter in March 2011. The Duke joked that he was “terrified” when Charles jumped behind the wheel of a helicopter during his first flying experience.
Harry attended the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills last night without wife Meghan Markle, with the Duchess of Sussex having to stay home because one of their children became unwell, the PA news agency reported.
Harry completed two tours of Afghanistan as a forward air controller and as an Apache helicopter pilot, having flown numerous training missions in Britain, the US and Australia.
He served in the military for ten years, rising to the rank of captain and later founded the Invictus Games – a sporting event for injured military personnel and veterans.
King Charles joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in August 1971, where he trained to fly both a jet aircraft and a helicopter.
He had already taken flying lessons at university and was able to fly himself to RAF Cranwell for his first day of training.
After completing training, Charles obtained his RAF Wings as a Flight Lieutenant Wales. He was the first member of the royal family to receive this award.
Harry takes his place alongside other 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.
Harry (pictured at the Invictus Games in Germany in September 2023) attended the ceremony without Meghan Markle, who had to stay home after one of their children fell ill
Harry is pictured standing in front of an Apache helicopter in March 2011, just days after the royal family reached the 50-year milestone of becoming a captain in the British Army
Harry can be seen as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan in December 2012
Harry is pictured with Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe at the awards ceremony in LA
Prince Harry pictured with John Travolta, Lauren Sanchez and Bill Gates at the Living Legends Of Aviation
The prince arrives for Friday’s event in Los Angeles
A statement on the website said: ‘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, who wore a black velvet tuxedo, was inducted alongside US Navy pilot Fred George and former world speed record holder Steve Hinton, as well as Lauren Sanchez – who is engaged to Amazon founder Bezos.
She received the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award for her skills as a helicopter pilot and aviation businesswoman after founding aerial film company Black Ops Aviation in 2016.
The Duke’s appearance comes as his father, the King, prepares to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate next week, while his sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, recovers from abdominal surgery at the London Clinic.
Among those congratulating Harry on the award was Germany’s Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, who appeared on Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.
He said on Instagram: ‘Congratulations to HRH Prince Harry on his well-deserved Living Legends of Aviation Award… Well done.’
What did King Charles do while serving in the RAF?
The King has served in both the RAF and the Royal Navy.
During his second year at Cambridge University, he received flying lessons from the RAF and on March 8, 1971, the then prince began training to become a jet pilot.
He passed out at RAF Cranwell and joined the Royal Navy.
After a six-week course at the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, he served on the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk and on two frigates: HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter.
In 1974, King qualified as a helicopter pilot and flew Wessex helicopters with 845 Naval Air Squadron from aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.
He ended his service in the Royal Navy at the end of 1976 after taking command of the coastal mine hunter HMS Bronington.
The then Prince of Wales, being briefed by Wing Commander ‘Hank’ Martin, Commanding Officer No. 43 Squadron, before his flight in a Phantom Interceptor in 1971