Britain's Prince Harry will be honoured for his humanitarian work at a ceremony in the US next month.
The 27-year-old royal has been awarded the Atlantic Council's 2012 Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership and will accept the honour on behalf of himself and his brother Prince William and their joint work through The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry
A St James's Palace spokesman said Harry was surprised but honoured to have been invited to receive such a prestigious award and revealed he will use the award to pay tribute to British and American veterans' charities for their achievements in helping to rehabilitate wounded servicemen and women.
Harry, who last year joined wounded servicemen for part of their charity trek to the North Pole, follows in the footsteps of celebrities including U2 singer Bono who received the Atlantic Council's first humanitarian award in 2010 for his efforts in fighting disease and poverty in Africa.
William will not accompany his brother to the ceremony on May 7 as he and wife Duchess Catherine - formerly Kate Middleton - will be presenting prizes at the Badminton Horse Trials where William's cousin Zara Phillips will be aiming to secure a place at the London Olympics.
