Prince Harry picks up award without Meghan Markle in first public appearance since King Charles health concern revealed

The Duke of Sussex made the appearance in Los Angeles just hours after dropping a libel case against Associated Newspapers Limited
Prince Harry was spotted without wife Meghan Markle as the Duke of Sussex made his first public appearance since news of King Charles’ prostate treatment.

Harry, 39, appeared for an awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, California.

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The Duke of Sussex was in attendance ahead of receiving recognition as a “Living Legend of Aviation”.

Harry, who wore a dinner jacket and bow tie, posed for snaps alongside minor German royal Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe.

However, the father-of-two was not snapped with his wife Meghan.

The award, made at the recommendation of John Travolta, recognises Prince Harry’s role as an Apache helicopter pilot in two tours of Afghanistan in 2007 and 2012.

Travolta and the Duke made guests laugh as the event got underway, with the Grease star asking: “What can you remember about your first flight?”

Harry simply remarked “it’s classified”, causing the room to roar with laughter.

The Duke’s appearance at the ceremony was his first in public since news broke of King Charles’ enlarged prostate treatment.

Prince Harry was not spotted alongside his wife at the ceremony and skipped a red carpet appearance to receive his award over dinner.

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”.

During an announcement on the award a few weeks ago, 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.”

The Duke of Sussex was inducted to the aviation hall of fame on Friday night alongside US navy pilot Fred George and the CEO of a Canadian aviation simulation company Marc Parent.

Despite receiving the award, military figures have argued Prince Harry does not deserve the accolade.

Duke of Sussex speaks onstage at The Archewell Foundation Parents\u2019 Summit
Duke of Sussex speaks onstage at The Archewell Foundation Parents’ SummitGETTY
Admiral 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.”

Colonel Richard Kemp, a retired British Army officer, said the ceremony was about “celebrities massaging each other’s egos”.

The annual ceremony in Beverly Hills costs up to £1,260 for a table of six guests and tickets to the afterparty totals around £470.