Meghan Markle was forced to miss the glitzy Beverley Hills ceremony where Prince Harry received a 'Living Legend' award because 'one of their children became unwell'

Meghan Markle had to miss Prince Harry's honor as a 'living legend of aviation' in Los Angeles on Friday evening.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, took to the stage at the Beverly Hills Hilton to accept his award from actor John Travolta, but he was not accompanied by his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, who was expected to attend.

Meghan, 42, was not present when one of their children became unwell, the PA news agency understands.

The couple lives in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie, four, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet. It was not confirmed which of their little ones were unwell.

Harry appeared cheerful Friday as he joined Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, a 46-year-old minor German royal and cousin of Denmark's outgoing queen Margrethe II, and others at the ceremony.

The duke — who did not mention the medical problems of his sister-in-law Kate or father Charles — took a moment to recall host John Travolta's meeting with Princess Diana at a White House dinner for President Ronald Reagan in 1985.

While accepting the award from Travolta, the 39-year-old said, “I was only a year old when you danced with my mother at the White House and now look at us.” He added: “The only thing left for us to do is… not dance together, but fly together.”

The Duke completed two tours of Afghanistan as a forward air controller and as an Apache helicopter pilot, having flown numerous training missions in Britain, the US and Australia.

He served in the military for ten years, rising to the rank of captain and later founded the Invictus Games – a sporting event for wounded service members and veterans.

On stage, Travolta asked him about his time in the military: “What do you remember about your first flight?” Harry joked back, “It's a secret.”

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, who had his picture taken with Harry during the awards ceremony, later called the moment between Harry and Travolta on stage 'very moving and sweet'.

'John Travolta presented the award and he referred to the dance with his mother, Princess Diana, (when) Prince Harry was a year old, so he says, “Now I see you again in a new circumstance, on a new stage” ,' he said. said.

“That was very moving and very sweet, because we all remember how beautiful John Travolta and Princess Diana's dance was, and now Princess Diana's son is receiving an award from John Travolta. It was the cutest, most touching moment.”

The Duke of Sussex, 39, took to the stage at the Beverly Hills Hilton to accept his award from actor John Travolta – but he was not accompanied by his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, who was expected to attend.

In his speech, Harry then thanked the Living Legends of Aviation awards for the 'incredible honour', adding that he is 'proud to be recognized among such a dynamic and inspiring group of individuals'.

Harry takes his place alongside other aerospace legends including Buzz Aldrin, Jeff Bezos, Tom Cruise, Neil Armstrong, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman and Elon Musk.

He continued, “For me, flying has been a transcendent experience. A close encounter with magic, an invitation to both protect freedom… and to feel free, and, funnily enough, a chance to ground yourself, without actually being grounded.

'I think my flight training – which lasted over the course of three years – was one of life's greatest lessons. It stirred up a wide range of feelings.”

He didn't allude to the medical dramas for his family on the other side of the Atlantic; The Princess of Wales is midway through a two-week hospital stay following surgery, while King Charles is being treated for an enlarged prostate.

But Harry's appointment has angered some former top British military officials.

Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, said: 'He is not a living legend of aviation. To suggest he is is pathetic. It makes it all a bit nonsense when they are willing to choose someone like Prince Harry.

“He didn't perform any great exciting feats of amazing flying skills while flying for the Army. They're just trying to get publicity. They know it will cause an uproar.”

Retired officer Colonel Richard Kemp said Harry was “a brave guy” and that his role in Afghanistan was “undoubtedly very dangerous”.

But he said there are “helicopter pilots who have done far more extraordinary things in Iraq and Afghanistan, risking their lives to save their fellow soldiers.”

Meghan (pictured with Harry in New York City in May 2023), 42, was not present when one of their children became unwell, the PA news agency understands

The Living Legends of Aviation website also praised the Duke for his work with charities and organizations including Travalyst, Sentebale, African Parks and WellChild.

A statement on the website said: 'Prince Harry is a humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate and environmentalist.

“He has dedicated his life to advancing causes he is passionate about and that create permanent change for people and places.”

Harry was inducted alongside US Navy pilot Fred George and former world speed record holder Steve Hinton, as well as Lauren Sanchez – a helicopter pilot who is engaged to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

She will receive the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award for her skills as a helicopter pilot and aviation businesswoman, after founding aerial film company Black Ops Aviation in 2016.

The Duke's appearance comes as his father, the King, prepares to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate next week, while his sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, recovers from abdominal surgery at the London Clinic.

It is expected that Kate will not resume her public duties until well into the spring.