Royal Biographer ‘Quite Sure’ Prince Harry Paid For Aviation Award; Archewell Denies Claims

Prince Harry's aviation award was questioned by his biographer, Angela Levin.

Levin, a distinguished journalist who has worked for the Observer, Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and the Daily Telegraph and published multiple royal books, including Prince Harry's biography, weighed in on the Duke of Sussex's upcoming award. Prince Harry is among the four gentlemen to be recognized at the 21st Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards for their contribution to aviation or aerospace.

On Levin's recent appearance on GB News, she told TV presenter Mark Dolan that the prince was only away for 20 weeks in Afghanistan, and he was allegedly only a "companion" in the plane.

"He was a companion in the plane, he wasn't there by himself making all the decisions. So, I looked around, and I believe that this charity is one that you have to pay to get an award, and I think that would be very much taken from what Meghan's done," Levin claimed.

"She's gone to so many different places where she's won something, and you think, 'Well, what she has done?' You know, 'She's a marvelous example to women and young girls throughout the world.' Oh no, she's not, and yet she's got it because they give the money, and I'm quite sure that's what happened on this one."

Dolan quipped that they reached out to Archewell, who represents the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and it denied the speculations that money was involved in those awards.

"We've been in touch with Archewell today, who, of course, represents the Sussexes, and they've said that it's categorically untrue that any money changed hands in relation to these awards," Dolan said.

Meanwhile, one X user shared a screenshot of the Living Legends of Aviation page from Wikipedia, claiming it was "a paid-for award honoring achievements in the aerospace industry." However, the page can be easily edited by anyone. A different user noted that the word "paid for" has been removed from the page.

Several netizens also questioned the award because Prince Harry allegedly didn't pass his theoretical exam. However, his profile on the royal website, which highlights his military career, noted that he became an Army Air Corps Pilot in January 2009 and an Apache Aircraft Commander in July 2013.

Prince Harry's new award made headlines after he was allegedly snubbed in a new book's list of the top 200 military alumni from Sandhurst. Vaughan Kent-Payne's new book "They Also Served" featured the top 200 graduates from the military academy, including wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Nigerian President Murtala Muhammed, Oscar-winning actor David Niven and Prince William. The Prince of Wales also penned its foreword.