Prince Harry will be inducted into the aviation hall of fame tomorrow at a Hollywood award bash.
However, it’s been revealed that the Duke of Sussex has Hollywood star John Travolta to thank for the honour.
Travolta, who is hosting the awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, was one of Harry’s “biggest supporters” behind the scenes, the Mirror reports.
The Saturday Night Fever star played a major role in Harry’s selection as a ‘Living Legend of Aviation’.
Travolta, who was close to Princess Diana, has previously spoken about maintaining a “strong emotional link and connection” with Harry through his mother.
He was famously photographed dancing with Diana at the White House during an official dinner in 1985.
A source told the Mirror: “John has felt that her sons have continued her legacy and drive for charity.
“So, Harry having this platform to celebrate his achievements means so much to him. John and Harry uniting will be another memorable night.”
Harry is reportedly “humbled” by the honour, which insiders claim was partly awarded due to the Duke’s work on The Invictus Games.
The decision to award Harry has been mocked by retired military officer Colonel Richard Kemp.
He told The Sun that the award is just “celebrities massaging each other’s egos”.
Colonel Kemp took issue with the fact that Harry will join the first men to walk on the Moon – Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
He said: “Comparing Neil Armstrong to Harry is just hilarious – they couldn’t be further apart really.”
The former British Army officer added: “He was a gunner in an Apache helicopter in Afghanistan but so were many, many other people.
“I can think of many people who did pretty extraordinary things while serving in the British and American armed forces which would be much more deserving of an award like this.
“It is obviously because of who he is – not what he did. An Apache is crewed by two people – a pilot and a gunner. Harry was a gunner. He was number two in the aircraft.
“It is just motivated by his celebrity. That’s the way these awards are – they’re not to recognise true greatness. They’re more about publicity.”
