This vainglorious gala felt like the popping of Harry's bubble... but it was hard not to feel sympathy for him - Caroline Graham recalls her night at the tacky 'Living Legends of Aviation' awards in Los Angeles

This article discusses the critical tone towards Prince Harry, expressing disappointment and disapproval of his perceived shift from a respected royal figure to a participant in what the author deems a lackluster Hollywood event.

The prince is seen arriving for Friday's event in Los Angeles

The author laments the perceived decline in Prince Harry's image, describing him as a "celebrity trinket" at a Hollywood awards ceremony, which is contrasted with his former role as a Royal Highness who commanded respect and affection.

The mention of a crown made from plastic and rhinestones on Miss California's head serves as a metaphor for the perceived loss of dignity and authenticity associated with royalty.

The passage criticizes the gathering as a "distinctly D-list" event, highlighting the presence of a German figure with a disputed royal title, Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, and describing the audience's anticipation for Prince Harry's arrival despite the lackluster nature of the event.

Harry is pictured with Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe at the awards ceremony in LA

The article mentions the surprise announcement that Prince Harry attended the event solo, breaking the expectation that he would be accompanied by his wife Meghan Markle for their first joint Hollywood red carpet appearance.

Organisers had promised that the Duke would attend with his wife Meghan but a PR lackey suddenly announced that Harry would be solo

The author brings attention to the absence of Meghan Markle, citing reports of a sick child as the reason for her non-attendance. Prince Harry missed an opportunity to publicly wish his father and sister-in-law good health, given their medical situations.

It was later reported that 42-year-old Meghan had decided to stay home because one of their two children was sick

The author says that Harry was seen mingling with some of Hollywood's most frivolous personalities and being garlanded by sycophants with yet another meaningless bauble at a £1,100-a-head event that was so lacklustre that one elderly attendee admitted he slept through most of it.

This part of the passage introduces a fellow guest's observation that Prince Harry did not mention his father, King Charles and Princess Kate during his acceptance speech at the Living Legends of Aviation gala. It is noted as "weird" that Harry didn't offer any kind words about them.

Prince Harry pictured with John Travolta, Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos at the Living Legends Of Aviation

The passage then shifts to describe an interaction between Prince Harry and Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, a German individual with a disputed royal title. The two took a selfie together at the event. Prince Mario-Max's royal connections, including his claim to be a distant cousin of the British Royals, are presented as contested. His use of the title is accused of being a 'beautiful illusion,' and his family disputes his royal connections, alleging that he is using the title for personal gain.

Prince Alexander of Schaumburg-Lippe, the head of the family, expresses dissatisfaction, stating that Prince Harry's association with Prince Mario-Max is troubling. Prince Alexander accuses Prince Mario-Max of exploiting the family name for personal benefit, and he advises Prince Harry to stay away from him.

Prince Harry's association with someone whose royal connections are disputed could be perceived negatively, especially in the context of his attendance at a high-profile Hollywood event.

This article provides additional information about Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe and his background. It highlights his claim to the royal title, which he asserts came about through adoption by a distant relative when he was 23 years old. The passage goes on to mention his public image in Germany, where he has been labeled 'the King of Trash TV' for participating in the local version of Big Brother and promoting products, including a 'wealth elixir,' on shopping channels.

Mario-Max has been dubbed 'the King of Trash TV' in the German Press

The text also notes Prince Mario-Max's activities in the United States, where he has been photographed with celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Liza Minnelli, and Ivana Trump at various social events. It is mentioned that he once dated one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Following Prince Mario-Max's immediate social media post featuring a photo with Prince Harry, the passage presents comments from social media users expressing a critical view of the encounter. The comments describe the situation as "cringe" and suggest that both individuals are using their titles for personal gain in superficial Hollywood.

Prince Mario-Max's positive description of his meeting with Prince Harry is also included, where he characterizes the Duke as "fabulous, very humble, very sweet," and claims that the encounter filled him with joy.

The passage mentions the pre-existing questions about whether Prince Harry deserved the title of 'living legend of aviation,' with some individuals raising doubts about his qualifications for the award. This adds another layer of skepticism regarding the event and Prince Harry's role in it.

Questions of whether the Duke deserved to be called a 'living legend of aviation' had been raised before the bash

In this portion of the passage, there is a discussion about Prince Harry's award citation, which highlights his roles as a humanitarian, military veteran, mental wellness advocate, and environmentalist. The citation praises his dedication to causes he is passionate about, aiming to bring about permanent change. However, the legitimacy of the award is questioned by Lord Alan West, a former head of the Royal Navy, who dismisses the idea of Prince Harry being a "living legend of aviation" as "pathetic" and suggests the entire ceremony is nonsensical. Colonel Richard Kemp, a retired British Army officer, criticizes the event as being about "celebrities massaging each other's egos."

The passage then transitions to Prince Harry accepting the award and expressing pride in his military career. The author reflects on the contrast between this moment and Prince Harry's recent decisions to step back from his royal duties, sign deals with Netflix, and move to the United States.

Prince Harry's words about his military experience are presented as meaningful and honest, evoking a sense of nostalgia for his "old" life. The passage suggests that there may be a realization or internal conflict within Prince Harry about the trade-offs he made in pursuit of his new career in Hollywood. The contrast is drawn between the perceived authenticity of his reflections on his military service and the criticism the author has for his recent media appearances and memoir.

Prince Harry's description of flying as a "transcendent experience" and the emphasis on trust in his military career are presented as poignant and sincere, perhaps prompting the author to reflect on whether the choices he has made in recent years were worth the perceived cost to his previous life and service.

Harry is pictured in March 2011 standing in front of an Apache Helicopter a few days after the royal passed the half-decade milestone to become a captain in the British Army

This part of the passage provides additional details about the Living Legends of Aviation gala, including the audience's reaction to Prince Harry's acceptance speech. The emotional words about flying trigger a standing ovation from the audience, which includes notable figures like Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez. Sanchez is highlighted for her work as a helicopter pilot running a company offering aerial filming.

One guest commented that Harry might be lining up Bezos, the world's third richest man, for when the £63million deal he and Meghan have with Netflix expires next year

Lauren Sanchez, 54, was also being hailed as a living legend for her work as a helicopter pilot who runs a company offering aerial filming

The passage then shifts to speculation about Prince Harry's future endeavors in Hollywood. There is a suggestion that Prince Harry might be seeking connections with Jeff Bezos for potential collaborations once his deal with Netflix expires. The author raises concerns about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's success in Hollywood, citing criticism from various sources, including lampooning on South Park and negative comments from the Hollywood Reporter.

The gala itself is described as a vainglorious event, with criticism directed at the lack of major celebrities on the red carpet and various mishaps during the evening, such as a false alarm involving the Beverly Hills Fire Department. The tone of the passage suggests disappointment with the event's execution, contrasting it with more prestigious A-list gatherings.

Prince Harry accepts his award as a Living Legend of Aviation at the glitzy awards ceremony in Los Angeles

Despite the critical tone, some attendees express delight in Prince Harry's presence, praising his service in Afghanistan and celebrating the honor bestowed upon him. The passage ends with the author pondering the potential future for Prince Harry, expressing concern that he might be reduced to giving speeches at lesser events to support his lifestyle in Montecito. The author hopes for a more favorable trajectory for Prince Harry's future.

Harry is seen in December 2012 working as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan