While the award ceremony, hosted by John Travolta, acknowledged Prince Harry's exceptional aviation accomplishments as a former British army helicopter pilot who flew combat missions in Afghanistan, the petitioners argue that this information is misleading. According to platoon members and the Commander, Prince Harry never engaged in combat during his second tour in Afghanistan (2012-2013). They reference a 2023 article by The Telegraph, revealing that Prince Harry was kept out of harm's way, rarely exposed to enemy fire, and served in a role more akin to a glorified chauffeur than a combat soldier.
The petitioners accuse Prince Harry of exploiting his military service for personal gain and publicity, particularly after his departure from the royal family in 2020. They assert that he has betrayed fellow soldiers and veterans by capitalizing on false credentials, disrespecting genuine heroes who risk their lives in service. Megan Markle is also implicated in influencing Prince Harry's decision to accept the award and manipulating him into abandoning his royal duties and family.
The petition demands public apologies from Prince Harry and Megan Markle to the aviation community and the return of the award to The Living Legends of Aviation. Additionally, they urge the organization to reevaluate its criteria for award recipients, emphasizing a commitment to honoring those who have genuinely contributed to aviation and aerospace.
Although The Living Legends of Aviation and Prince Harry and Megan Markle have yet to respond to the petition, sources close to the couple conveyed to US Weekly that they remain unperturbed by the backlash, expressing pride in their achievements and philanthropic work. The petition has garnered support from various celebrities and public figures, including Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, Howard Stern, Bethenny Frankel, and Chris Rock, who have criticized the couple for perceived hypocrisy and narcissism, particularly in their Netflix docu-series, "Harry and Megan."
