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| Frederick Kempe and Prince Harry |
It was an affair fit for a King... er.... a Prince, when the Atlantic
Council held its annual awards dinner at the Ritz-Carlton on Monday
evening, honoring among others, HRH Prince Henry of Wales and UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The council, which is marking its 50th year, has been
a steadfast force of support for issues ranging from global financial
stability to fighting violent extremism.
The
awards dinner, which invites leaders from the USA and around the world,
has been a premiere event in DC each year. Past honorees have included
Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony
Blair, and U2 lead singer Bono.
This year's honorees are equally diverse and also featured Unilever CEO Paul Polman, the Enlisted Men and Women of the United States Armed Forces, and German violin master Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Ban Ki-moon received the Distinguished International
Leadership Award for his ability to drive global leaders on critical
issues. "If I were to speak like an economist, I might say we have an
over-supply of problems —and a deficit of solutions. A deficit of
leadership." He said, reflecting on the honor
But it was Harry causing the big stir for the
evening. Flocks of girls (young and old) lined the streets leading to
the Ritz, all hoping to catch a glance of the young Prince. The crowd
squealed as he stepped from his car, but the Prince was unphased. This
is actually Harry's first time being in Washington DC and he was all
business, turning away from the press as he walked inside, stopping only
briefly to greet Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic
Council.
Harry is being honored with the Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership Award for the work of the foundation he started with his brother. The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry helps to rehabilitate wounded servicemen and prepare them for the challenges of rejoining civilian life. General Colin Powell introduced Harry, joking (maybe not)"We have a record number of young, single women in attendance," but he then went on to praise the Prince for his military service and for "leading by example."
"This isn't daunting at all," quirked Harry as he
unfolded his speaking notes. He was soft-spoken but direct in saying
that he was accepting the award on behalf of his brother, and all who
work for veterans, but mostly "for the guys, this is their award."
He
easily commanded the attention of the room and said that we need to keep
our attention on wounded warriors, long past the time when they stop
making headlines. "These people, ours and yours are extraordinary."
Washington welcomes HRH Prince Harry
Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan
