King Charles and Prince Harry at the premiere of “Our Planet” at the Natural History Museum on April 4, 2019 in London.Photo:Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince Harryhad something playful to say about his fatherKing Charles’ piloting skills at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, joked that he was “terrified” during his first helicopter flight as a child when his dad hopped into the cockpit. Prince Harrystepped out solofor induction into the Living Legends of Aviation on Friday night in Beverly Hills, and theDaily Mailreported that the comment came when event hostJohn Travoltaasked him about his first flight experience.
“I think I was maybe 7 or 8 years old, Wessex Helicopter, and I jumped into it very excited. And then my father jumped in behind the controls, and I was terrified,” Prince Harry said in fan footage shared toX, as the audience laughed. The clip showed the Duke of Sussex speaking while standing up from his seat at the Beverly Hilton at the 21st annual awards, which Travolta hosted as the “Official Ambassador of Aviation.”
On Friday, the Duke of Sussex was one of four people inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation, which honors “those who have made significant contributions to aviation/aerospace.”
Then-Prince Charles presents Prince Harry with his flying wings at the at the Army Aviation Centre on May 7, 2010 in Andover, England.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Harry served as a helicopter pilot during his decade in the British Army, flying training missions in the U.S., U.K. and Australia, as well as combat missions in Afghanistan. He was awarded his Flying Wings in 2010 following completion of the eight-month Army Pilot Course with the Army Aviation Centre, and his father King Charles awarded his flying wings. The King also awardedPrince William’s flying wings in 2008.
According to hisroyal biography, the King, 75, began jet pilot training at Royal Air Force (RAF) Cranwell in March 1971 and even flew himself there, having started flight lessons while studying at Cambridge. It’s custom for heirs to the throne to train with various branches of the military, andQueen Elizabeth’s eldest son began a naval career later that year after the passing out parade (graduation) at Cranwell. King Charles, who was then known as the Prince of Wales, qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1974 and joined the 845 Naval Air Squadron — a few years before he marriedPrincess Diana.
The late Princess of Wales famouslyshared a dancewith Travolta, 69, at the White House in 1985, which Prince Harryaffectionately referencedwhile speaking on stage at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards after receiving his medal.
As seen in fan footage shared toX, theGreaseactor awarded the honor to Prince Harry as the crowd cheered.
Prince Harry visits One World Observatory on September 23, 2021 in New York City; John Travolta at a screening of “The Shepherd” at The London West Hollywood on January 9.Taylor Hill/WireImage; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Taylor Hill/WireImage; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
“This is nice,” the Duke of Sussex began, as the audience laughed.
“Thank you, Captain John,” he said, looking to his left towards where Travolta was seemingly standing out of shot.
“Don’t go running away,” Prince Harry teased, before adding, “I was 1 year old when you danced with my mom.”
The Duke of Sussex then added some playful remarks, jokingly noting to the crowd that Travolta had told “everybody here” and would continue “dining out on that.”
“But look at us now, it’s great! So if we’re not going to dance together, we’ll fly together,” he told theSaturday Night Feverstar.
Prince Harry then addressed the crowd and offered “a heartfelt thank you to the Living Legends of Aviation.”
Prince Harry in Afghanistan in 2012.John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty
John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty
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Lauren Sánchezreceived the “Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award,” and others inducted alongside Prince Harry included Steve Hinton, an American aviator who held a world speed record from 1979 to 1989, Navy pilot Fred George and President and CEO of CAE (formerly Canadian Aviation Electronics) Marc Parent. Sánchezshared a photowith Prince Harry, Travolta and her fianceJeff Bezosfrom the event onInstagram, where she thanked Living Legends of Aviation for the “incredible recognition.”
Meghan Markledid not attendher husband Harry’s induction into the Living Legends of Aviation after one of their children became ill, PEOPLE understands. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex share sonPrince Archie, 4, and daughterPrincess Lilibet, 2.
Last Wednesday, Buckingham Palace announced thatKing Charleswould head to the hospital this week to treat anenlarged prostate. It’s understood that the King, 75, wanted to share his diagnosis to encourage men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked. King Charles will be capable of fulfilling his constitutional requirements and duties during this time, a royal source tells PEOPLE.
The same day, Kensington Palace announced thatKate Middletonhad “planned abdominal surgery” atThe London Clinicthe day prior. Palace sources tell PEOPLE that the Princess of Wales, 42, is “doing well.” The issue is understood to be non-cancerous, andPrince Williamwasseen leavingthe London Clinic last Thursday during what the palace said would be a 10 to 14-day stay before going home to continue her recovery.
source: people.com
