BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Britain's Prince Philip presented former President Ronald Reagan with the prestigious Winston Churchill Award Wednesday night at a dinner attended by many members of Hollywood's royalty.
Among the 700 guests on hand at the Beverly Hills Hotel as Reagan became only the fourth recipient of the honor were Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller and Tom Selleck.
Robert Wycoff, president of Atlantic Richfield Co., publisher Walter Annenberg and John Lobe Jr., president of the Winston Churchill Foundation, hosted the dinner.
Lobe said the award was presented in recognition of Reagan's 'gift of leadership ... unswerving dedication to the defense of freedom ... and commitment to preserve and enhance the special ties of friendship and understanding that bind the United States and Great Britain.'
Reagan, who was accompanied by his wife, Nancy, said, 'I'm deeply honored to be the recipient of the Churchill Award.'
Reagan said Churchill was 'very much on his mind' because he and Nancy will be traveling to London in the near future to deliver the Churchill lecture at Guild Hall.
'You can imagine how humble I feel to receive an award for representing some of the qualities of Winston Churchill,' Reagan said. 'This truly is an honor.
'Winston Churchill inspired us all. He was truly a great man. Few will ever be his equal. He seemed to instinctively understand men, government and the importance of freedom.'
The prince, who is married to Queen Elizabeth, arrived at nearby Burbank Airport Wednesday afternoon, piloting a Royal Air Force jet containing his entourage.
Upon arrival, the Duke of Edinburgh was greeted by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, County Supervisor Deane Dana and Burbank Mayor Robert Bowne, who presented him with a key to the city.
The prince last visited Los Angeles in 1984 to attend the Olympic Games in his capacity as president of the International Equestrian Federation. He also accompanied the queen on a visit to the West Coast in 1983.
In addition to Reagan, the only previous recipients of the Winston Churchill Award are the late diplomat W. Averell Harriman, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Texas industrialist H. Ross Perot.
The award is given to 'individuals of exceptional accomplishment who exemplify the values and standards associated with Winston Churchill.'
Prince Philip is honorary trustee of the Winston Churchill Foundation of the United States, an organization founded in 1959 by friends and admirers of Britain's wartime leader.
The foundation also provides scholarships and fellowships to American graduate students and scholars to study at Cambridge University's Churchill College. The dinner was expected to raise more than $750,000 for the foundation.
Prince Philip, the son of Prince Andrew of Greece, first met Queen Elizabeth at age 13 and married her 13 years later in 1947 after moving to England and joining the Royal Navy.
