He said: “It is made clear that it is also for his humanitarian work including the Invictus Games, but it is truly farcical that he becomes a ‘living legend’.
“He did indeed carry out two tours of duty in Afghanistan, but why he should be given a special award and his name mentioned alongside aviation greats is beyond me.
“On this basis every pilot should surely receive this award. Ridiculous!”
The 21st annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards take place next week and will be hosted by Hollywood legend, and qualified pilot, John Travolta.
Other reasons for Harry’s inclusion include the fact he toured Afghanistan twice as a forward air controller, and Apache helicopter pilot. He also carried out numerous training missions across the UK, US and Australia.
His much loved military career saw him serve for 10 years and secure the rank of Captain.
But it wasn’t just Mr Fitzwilliams who disapproved of Harry’s inclusion – as retired military officer Colonel Richard Kemp said the award was a way for “celebrities to massage each other’s egos”.
Speaking about the award, he 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.”
Other notable winners of the aviation award including Moon landing astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, as well as Top Gun star Tom Cruise.
