The Duke of Sussex made his first public appearance since news of King Charles’s upcoming prostate treatment on Friday night, as he was recognised for his contribution to aviation.
Prince Harry appeared for an awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, California, to be classified as a “Living Legend of Aviation”.
The Duke, wearing a dinner jacket and bow tie, posed with Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, a minor German royal who is a cousin of the outgoing Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II.
Prince Mario-Max shared a picture of the pair on social media, writing: “Congratulations To HRH Prince Harry for his VERY MUCH DESERVED Living Legends of Aviation Award.”
The award, made at the recommendation of Mr Travolta, recognises Prince Harry’s role as an Apache helicopter pilot in two tours of Afghanistan in 2007 and 2012.
The ceremony was his first public appearance since news broke of King Charles’s upcoming treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The Princess of Wales, his sister-in-law, is currently hospitalised at The London Clinic, recovering from abdominal surgery. Kensington Palace has said she is not likely to return to royal duties until after Easter.
Despite rumours that Prince Harry would appear with his wife, Meghan Markle, he appeared to attend the ceremony alone, and skipped a red carpet appearance to receive his award over dinner.
The awards night was also attended by Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos’s fiancee, who received the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award for her founding of an aerial film and production company.
Prince Harry joins other celebrity recipients of the award, including Mr Bezos, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman and Elon Musk.
A source said the award was designed to recognise Prince Harry’s aviation achievements and “astonishing commitment to helping those in and out of the military, promoting awareness of the triumphs and travails of that life”.
Announcing the award earlier this month, Living Legends of Aviation said: “Prince Harry is a humanitarian, military veteran, mental wellness advocate and environmentalist.
“He has dedicated his life to advancing causes that he is passionate about and that bring about permanent change for people and places.”
He was inducted to the aviation hall of fame on Friday night alongside US navy pilot Fred George, former world speed record holder Steve Hinton, and the CEO of Canadian aviation simulation company CAE, Marc Parent.
However, the award has also caused some controversy among military figures.
Adml Lord West, a former First Sea Lord, said: “He is not a living legend. There are lots of people who deserve to be called this but not Prince Harry.
“I find it extraordinary he has been picked. He didn’t carry off any great exciting feat of amazing flying skill while flying for the Army.”
Col Richard Kemp, a retired British Army officer, said the ceremony was about “celebrities massaging each other’s egos”.
The ceremony in Beverly Hills is hosted annually, and costs up to $1,600 (£1,260) for a table of six guests. A ticket to the after-party is $600 (£470).
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