However, unlike these individuals, who have either piloted planes or actively supported aviation causes, Prince Harry's aviation credentials are questionable at best.The Duke of Sussex, who served as a co-pilot gunner of an Apache helicopter during his second Afghanistan tour, admitted in his controversial memoir to killing 25 Taliban fighters. He described them as mere chess pieces taken off the board, categorizing them as bad guys eliminated before they could harm the good guys. This revelation sparked outrage among veterans and military experts, accusing Prince Harry of trivializing the horrors of war and disrespecting the lives of his enemies.
Critics argue that calling Prince Harry a legend of aviation is an insult to real heroes who risk their lives in the air. Moreover, the award has been criticized as a mockery of his late grandfather, Prince Philip, a distinguished naval officer and aviator. Prince Philip, who passed away in April 2021, was the first royal family member to fly a jet aircraft and logged over 5,000 hours of flying time. He held honorary positions in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy and supported numerous aviation charities.
A columnist for the Daily Express, writing under the pseudonym Richard Palmer, asserted that Prince Philip would be rolling in his grave over his grandson's new award. He claimed that Prince Harry, driven by Meghan Markle, orchestrated the deal with the Living Legends of Aviation using funds from their lucrative contracts with Netflix and Spotify. The columnist accused Meghan Markle of bullying and manipulating her husband and argued that she sought to keep Harry in the spotlight and portray him as a hero in the humanitarian field.
The couple, who moved to California in 2020 after relinquishing their royal roles, has faced challenges in maintaining their public image and influence, especially following the disappointment of Harry's book and their podcast. Supporters argue that Harry deserves recognition for his work with the Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded veterans that he founded in 2014. While the couple has not confirmed their attendance at the January 19th ceremony in Beverly Hills, they have yet to comment on the allegations. Some fans defend Harry's award, praising his contributions to the veteran community, while others criticize the move as shameless and cynical, reflecting a perceived decline in the couple's integrity.
