Sporting a rugged beard Prince Harry spent his 31st birthday inspecting aircrafts taking part in the 75th anniversary flypast, but he touchingly refused to make the day about him.
The young Prince was supposed to take a seat on the Battle of Britain Spitfire plane as part of the historic flypast, however he chose to step aside and let 95-year-old former wing commander Tom Neil take his spot so he could honour his fallen pals.
The flight Tom was initially supposed to take had mechanical problems so the people’s Prince gave up his seat for the war hero.
Tom flew Spitfires during the Second World War and after he arrived back on land from his special flight he told media, “It was delightful. It was nice to be back in a Spitfire again.”
“He’s a lovely man. He came and welcomed me back. He was so keen, so welcoming,” he added about Harry.
Talking at the event the Prince explained, “we always had this idea of trying to create opportunities for ex-servicemen or wounded servicemen … to give them the chance to basically get their lives back on track.
“It doesn’t matter what your challenge is, you each have your own Everest. For these guys it may be just walking a mile down the road with their kids to school,” Harry said.
There was no special treatment or even a sleep in for the birthday boy who spent his time supporting wounded servicemen as part of his endeavour fund at flypast in South England, after only just getting back from his summer spent in South Africa assisting conservation projects.
Click through to see how Prince Harry spent his birthday
Prince Harry gave up his spot on the Spitfire plane so 95-year-old veteran Tom Neil could take his seat and honour the friends he lost in the Second World War.
“He’s a lovely man. He came and welcomed me back. He was so keen, so welcoming,” a chuffed Tom explained about Prince Harry.
Holy Harry! The handsome Prince was sporting a swoon-worthy beared at the event.
He may have been on official royal duties, but it was still his birthday, so cheeky Prince Harry made some time for a laugh or two.
“It doesn’t matter what your challenge is, you each have your own Everest. For these guys it may be just walking a mile down the road with their kids to school,” Harry touchingly explained about wounded veterans.
Harry with a beard is like strawberries and chocolate… just perfect. Happy Birthday, Captain Wales.
