Prince Harry faced criticism for his unusual behavior at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards on Friday night.
Rather than extending well wishes to his father, King Charles, and sister-in-law, Princess Katherine, who are both dealing with health issues, Harry was heard cracking jokes. A guest at the event found it peculiar that Harry didn't acknowledge his family's situations during the awards ceremony.
While on stage, Prince Harry spoke for four minutes, where he reminisced about a sweet moment with his late mother, Princess Diana, but made no mention of his father or sister-in-law in his public speech.
During his speech, Harry shared a lighthearted memory about jumping into a Wessex helicopter with his father when he was seven or eight years old. However, he neglected to address the current health challenges faced by King Charles and Princess Katherine. Instead, he expressed pride in being recognized among a dynamic and inspiring group of individuals, emphasizing the transcendent experience of flying.
Royal expert Angela Levin criticized Prince Harry's omission of any mention of his family during the speech, suggesting that it was a deliberate snub intended to convey his independence. Levin commented that Harry's constant joking during the event seemed insincere, and he could have taken a more serious moment to express concern for his family. Despite the criticism, Harry's military background, including two tours in Afghanistan and the founding of the Invictus Games, was highlighted during the event.
In contrast, King Charles, who had joined the Royal Air Force in 1971, was trained to fly both jets and helicopters. Having already taken flying lessons at university, Charles gained his RAF wings as a Flight Lieutenant of Wales and became the first member of the royal family to achieve this distinction. The event shed light on the divergent paths of the two royals in their military careers and public engagements.
