Latest news with #LivingLegends
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince Harry Honors 'Quiet Heroes' Who Fought California's Devastating Wildfires at Beverly Hills Awards Ceremony
Prince Harry is back in California and honoring those who helped combat the wildfires in Los Angeles earlier this year. The Duke of Sussex, 40, returned for the second year in a row to the Living Legends of Aviation ceremony, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Friday, April 25. Harry, who was honored at the 2024 event for his work as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan during his 10 years in the military, joined Morgan Freeman and others in celebrating the aerial firefighters involved with the wildfires that devastated Los Angeles in January. He and his wife, Meghan Markle, previously contributed to relief efforts by handing out food and supplies as well as meeting with firefighters. During his remarks onstage, Harry honored the first responders who battled the recent fires, saying in part: "There are moments in life that reveal a great deal about who we are — not just as individuals, but as a people. Moments that test our courage, compassion and our commitment to one another. And time and again, what I've seen — what the world sees — is that first responders rise to that challenge every single time, yet we rarely get the chance to thank them." "This past January, when fires swept through over 50 square miles of Los Angeles County — threatening homes, businesses, communities — we saw that spirit in action. We saw courage. We saw commitment. And we saw an extraordinary group of men and women take to the skies, also risking their lives to protect people they would never meet," he continued. Related: Prince Harry 'Found His Vibe' in California But 'Does Miss Home,' Says Friend "It has reminded us that in a world full of noise, there are still quiet heroes among us — steady, capable, and brave. Tonight, we celebrate aviation legends — the kind forged in smoke, shaped by teamwork, and defined by the courage to fly into danger when others are told to flee," he said. "This community doesn't ask for attention or recognition. They don't ask for praise. But tonight we're gonna give it to them regardless because in my experience, it's the people who don't expect it or ask for it, that need and appreciate it the most," he concluded. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! John Travolta also returned to the awards ceremony as host. Last year, Prince Harry teased the Grease star in his speech, joking that he was 'dining out' on his infamous dance with his mother, the late Princess Diana, during a 1985 visit to the White House. "I was one year old when you danced with my mom," Harry said. 'But look at us now, it's great! So if we're not going to dance together, we'll fly together.' The 2025 Living Legends inductees included former Navy SEAL and NASA astronaut Christopher Cassidy, former astronaut and Navy fighter pilot Robert 'Hoot' Gibson, and NBC's lead lead aviation and space correspondent Tom Costello. Prince Harry's outing in Beverly Hills came two days after he and Meghan, 43, stepped out in New York City. The Duchess of Sussex spoke on stage at the TIME100 Summit before the couple unveiled an installation honoring children whose lives were cut short due to the harms of social media. The Lost Screen Memorial featured 50 smartphones displaying the lock screen photo of a child whose life was lost due to the harmful effects of social media. The personal images were shared by parents, who are members of the couple's Archewell Foundation's Parents' Network, to promote the need for safer online spaces. The Duke of Sussex said, "These children were not sick. Their deaths were not inevitable—they were exposed to, and in many cases were pushed harmful content online, the kind any child could encounter. No child should be exploited, groomed, or preyed upon in digital spaces. To the platforms, they may be seen as statistics. To their families, they were cherished and irreplaceable." Read the original article on People
Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Harry speaks at LA awards as Prince William attends Pope's funeral
The Duke of Sussex was a guest speaker alongside Hollywood stars at an awards show hours before his brother attended the Pope's funeral on behalf of the King. Prince Harry appeared at the Living Legend of Aviation Awards in Los Angeles on Friday night alongside John Travolta, who has become a good friend since the Prince was himself inducted as a Living Legend at last year's ceremony. The 40-year-old Duke, who was not accompanied by wife Meghan, took to the stage at the Beverly Hilton with Travolta and fellow actors Kurt Russell and Morgan Freeman to pay tribute to the courage of the aviators who helped fight January's devastating wildfires in California. 'First responders rise to the challenge' Harry told the audience: 'What I've seen and what the world sees is that first responders rise to that challenge every single time, and yet we rarely get the chance to thank them. 'This community, bound and energised by service to others, shows up for us wherever we are and whenever they're needed. They put their lives on hold for as long as we need them. 'Tonight we celebrate the aviation legends, the kind forged in smoke, shaped by teamwork and defined by the courage to fly into danger when others are told to flee. 'This community doesn't ask for attention or recognition. They don't ask for praise. 'But tonight we're going to give it to them regardless, because in my experience, it's the people who don't expect it or ask for it that need and appreciate it the most.' Greg Herrick, a vintage aircraft collector who also holds the title of Living Legend, said he felt Harry and Travolta, 71, who famously danced with Diana, Princess of Wales, at the White House in 1985, had bonded 'like brothers'. Russell, 74, described Harry as 'always the nice fellow' and said the Duke felt honoured to be part of the 'elite aviator community'. The veteran actor said: 'Pilots to me are a community that is indescribably different and unique from anything I've ever been a part of. This is the best night of the year. I love the people that are in that room – everything to do with aviation.' Another guest said: 'John [Travolta] was beyond excited that Harry did not just attend this event, but also paid the love forward from winning last year. His comments were a major moving moment of the evening. 'John has been in communication with Harry since last year and they mutually decided it was right to pay tribute to the crews. 'We all know it's a huge deal for Harry to attend a Hollywood event, because he's very much shied away from these types of events since he moved to California five years ago. 'But John's passion has fired up something in Harry to continue his love for flying long after his Army days in helicopters.' Astronauts honoured at ceremony At the ceremony Travolta, the Living Legends organisation's 'official ambassador of aviation', inducted and honoured major names in aviation including Christopher Cassidy, a former NASA astronaut who logged three spaceflights, 10 spacewalks, and a total of 377 days in space. Others honoured were Robert 'Hoot' Gibson, a former astronaut and Navy fighter pilot, and Tom Costello, NBC's Emmy award-winning aviation and space correspondent. The crew of the Polaris Dawn, whose five-day space mission last year included the first commercial spacewalk ever, received the inaugural Dr. Buzz Aldrin Space Advancement Award.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Felling of ancient oak tree probed by police
The cutting down of an ancient oak tree in north London is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. The remains of the oak, estimated to be up to 500 years old, were discovered by council workers last week in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield. An emergency tree preservation order has now been imposed on the base of its stump. The tree, with a girth of 6.1m (20ft), was a nationally significant pedunculate oak and listed on the Woodland Trust's national ancient tree inventory. Enfield resident and member of the Guardians of Whitewebbs group, Benny Hawksbee, said "the tree belonged to Enfield and to our national heritage - I am devastated". The leader of Enfield Council, Ergin Erbil, said they were treating the matter as criminal damage and had reported it to the police. He added: "We have now placed a legal protection (Tree Preservation Order) on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back. "We will work closely with the police as they continue their investigation into this matter." Jon Stokes, director of trees, science and research at the Tree Council, said the felling of such a "magnificent" tree was shocking. He added: "Ancient oaks can live up to 1,000 years old and are as precious as our stately homes and castles. "Our nation's green heritage should be valued and protected and we will do everything we can to achieve this." The Woodland Trust's head of campaigning Adam Cormack said the tree's loss was "devastating". He said: "We don't know yet who did this or why and would urge anyone with information to come forward and report it to the police. "This depressing sight is a reminder to all of us that not every ancient tree is in a safe place. "It is very unusual to see the felling of an oak tree of this size and age. Legally protected status for heritage trees like the Whitewebbs Oak is long overdue." The trust's Living Legends petition, which aims to secure such status for heritage trees, and which attracted more than 100,000 signatures, was handed in to Downing Street in November. The issue of tree preservation was highlighted after the destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree in September 2023. There was outrage when the tree, which stood in a dip next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was chopped down. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria, have been charged with causing criminal damage put at more than £600,000. They will appear before a jury at a trial starting on 28 April at Newcastle Crown Court. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Sycamore Gap tree: The story so far Date set for Sycamore Gap tree felling trial New woodland planted in honour of Sycamore Gap
BBC News
15-04-2025
- BBC News
Felling of ancient oak tree in Enfield sparks Metropolitan Police probe
The cutting down of an ancient oak tree in north London is being investigated by the Metropolitan remains of the oak, estimated to be up to 500 years old, were discovered by council workers last week in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield. An emergency tree preservation order has now been imposed on the base of its tree, with a girth of 6.1m (20ft), was a nationally significant pedunculate oak and listed on the Woodland Trust's national ancient tree resident and member of the Guardians of Whitewebbs group, Benny Hawksbee, said "the tree belonged to Enfield and to our national heritage - I am devastated". The leader of Enfield Council, Ergin Erbil, said they were treating the matter as criminal damage and had reported it to the added: "We have now placed a legal protection (Tree Preservation Order) on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back."We will work closely with the police as they continue their investigation into this matter."Jon Stokes, director of trees, science and research at the Tree Council, said the felling of such a "magnificent" tree was added: "Ancient oaks can live up to 1,000 years old and are as precious as our stately homes and castles."Our nation's green heritage should be valued and protected and we will do everything we can to achieve this." The Woodland Trust's head of campaigning Adam Cormack said the tree's loss was "devastating".He said: "We don't know yet who did this or why and would urge anyone with information to come forward and report it to the police."This depressing sight is a reminder to all of us that not every ancient tree is in a safe place."It is very unusual to see the felling of an oak tree of this size and age. Legally protected status for heritage trees like the Whitewebbs Oak is long overdue."The trust's Living Legends petition, which aims to secure such status for heritage trees, and which attracted more than 100,000 signatures, was handed in to Downing Street in November. Trial due to start The issue of tree preservation was highlighted after the destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree in September was outrage when the tree, which stood in a dip next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was chopped Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria, have been charged with causing criminal damage put at more than £600, will appear before a jury at a trial starting on 28 April at Newcastle Crown Court.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Locals ‘devastated' after 400-year-old tree mysteriously felled in London park
Environmental campaigners and locals have decried the 'devastating' felling of an ancient oak tree thought to be more than 400 years old in a north London park. Enfield Council workers discovered the tree, which has a girth of 6.1 metres, surrounded by its severed branches and trunk in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield, last week. The incident has been reported to the Metropolitan Police and the council has put an emergency preservation order in place on the base of the stump. The tree is thought to be in the top 100 of London's 600,000 oak trees in terms of its size. The Woodland Trust, which has been advocating for legal protections for the country's oldest and most important trees, called the incident 'devastating'. Adam Cormack, the charity's head of campaigning, said: 'We don't know yet who did this or why and would urge anyone with information to come forward and report it to the police. 'This depressing crime is a reminder to all of us that not every ancient tree is in a safe place. 'It is very unusual to see the felling of an oak tree of this size and age. 'Legally protected status for trees like the Whitewebbs Oak is long overdue. 'This issue has widespread public support and is an open goal for the government to act upon.' Ed Allnut, Enfield resident and secretary of the Guardians of Whitewebbs group said local people wanted justice for the old oak. 'The tree belonged to Enfield and to our national heritage. I am personally devastated,' he said. 'We want answers, and we want guarantees the other trees here are being protected properly.' Ergin Erbil, leader of Enfield Council, said the tree felling occurred on April 3. 'Enfield Council cares deeply about protecting trees and green spaces in the borough,' he said. 'The council was not informed of this incident until last week. Our teams immediately carried out a full site inspection to assess the damage after receiving reports of the damage done to the tree. 'We are treating the matter as criminal damage and have reported it to the police. We've now placed a legal protection (Tree Preservation Order) on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back.' It comes as the Tree Council and Forest Research published a report on Monday, called for a 'robust and effective system' of protections as part of a wider action plan to protect England's most important trees in the wake of the Sycamore Gap tree felling in September 2023. The trial of the two men accused of felling the Sycamore Gap tree is due to take place later this month in Newcastle Crown Court. The Woodland Trust cited support for its Living Legends petition that was handed to Downing Street with 100,000 signatures in November and the Heritage Trees Private Members Bill, which was introduced in the House of Lords by Baroness Young in 2023. The legislation proposes the introduction of a list of nationally important heritage trees and a preservation order that could be used to promote the protection of ancient and important trees. Oak trees are valuable for UK wildlife with the ability to support more than 2,300 species as sequestering planet-heating carbon from the atmosphere.
