In a shocking turn of events, Colonel Richard Kemp has labelled Prince Harry a “Living Legend of Aviation,” claiming that the recognition is an affront to the heroics of army pilots who have accomplished feats beyond Harry’s achievements. The aviation accolade, bestowed upon the Duke of Sussex at a ceremony hosted by John Travolta in Beverly Hills, California, has triggered outrage among military experts who argue that Harry is undeserving of such an honour.

Despite accepting the Living Legend of Aviation award with fanfare, Prince Harry’s speech at the prestigious event omitted any mention of his father, King Charles, or the recent health scare involving Kate Middleton. Harry now shares the title of “Legends of Aviation” with luminaries such as Moon landing astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, a fact that has further fueled the discontent among veterans who believe he falls short of earning such a prestigious designation.

Retired military officer Colonel Richard Kemp, in an exclusive video interview with the Sun, lambasted the award as a self-congratulatory exercise among celebrities. Kemp argues that the recognition, while undoubtedly providing publicity for both the award and its promoters, neglects the extraordinary feats accomplished by numerous military pilots in conflict zones like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

Prince Harry’s military service, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a forward air controller and an Apache helicopter pilot, was not enough to sway Kemp’s opinion. Despite achieving the rank of Captain and serving as an Apache Aircraft Commander, Kemp contends that Harry’s role as a gunner in Afghanistan places him far behind others who have performed truly remarkable acts of valour.

The controversy surrounding the award has intensified as Colonel Kemp challenges the basis of the honour, asserting that it cheapens the recognition by bestowing it upon a celebrity rather than a military figure who has demonstrated exceptional achievements.

Notably, this public acknowledgment is the first appearance by Prince Harry since the medical procedures undergone by Kate Middleton and the health diagnosis of King Charles. However, in a surprising omission, Harry made no reference to these family matters during his acceptance speech.

While some suggest that this recognition could have been an opportunity for Harry to mend bridges within the royal family, he chose to express gratitude to John Travolta, emphasising their shared history, rather than addressing the current family dynamics.

As debates surrounding Prince Harry’s military legacy persist, critics point to his removal from honorary military titles and exclusion from Sandhurst’s guide to its most notable graduates as indicators of diminishing recognition within military circles. Whether this controversy will have a lasting impact on Prince Harry’s public image remains to be seen, but the clash between celebrity status and military merit continues to be a contentious issue in the realm of aviation honours.