Meghan carries son Archie onto private jet after lavish break at Elton John’s $27m palace in France with Prince Harry
Elton John invoked Princess Diana in an extraordinary defence of Meghan and Harry after they were criticised for using a private jet.
Sir Elton John has revealed he paid for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to travel by private jet to visit his swanky $27 million home in Nice.
The pop-singing legend said he even paid “the appropriate contribution” to make sure the flight was carbon neutral, The Sun reports.
The Rocket Man singer, 72, confirmed that he provided the luxury 12-seater Cessna plane, that would have cost over $36,000 to hire, due to the “high level of much-needed protection.”
He launched a passionate defence of the young royals and even invoked the memory of Harry’s mum, Princess Diana, after the Sussex royals were pictured boarding a private jet as part of a holiday at Sir Elton John’s flash villa in the south of France.
It was their fourth gas-guzzling flight in just 11 days, despite their frequent public statements calling for people to do their part to combat climate change.
The photos of the Duke and Duchess, who have been vocal about environmental issues, were taken as they returned to England from Nice, France.
“After a hectic year continuing their hard work and dedication to charity, David and I wanted the young family to have a private holiday inside the safety and tranquility of our home,” Sir Elton said.
“To maintain a high level of much-needed protection, we provided them with a private jet flight.
“To support Prince Harry’s commitment to the environment, we ensured their flight was carbon neutral, by making the appropriate contribution to Carbon Footprint.
“I am deeply distressed by today’s distorted and malicious account in the press surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s private stay at my home in Nice last week.
“Prince Harry’s Mother, Diana Princess Of Wales was one of my dearest friends. I feel a profound sense of obligation to protect Harry and his family from the unnecessary press intrusion that contributed to Diana’s untimely death.”
I highly respect and applaud both Harry and Meghan’s commitment to charity and I’m calling on the press to cease these relentless and untrue assassinations on their character that are spuriously crafted on an almost daily basis.
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 19, 2019
Elton
But not everyone was on Sir Elton’s side on this issue.
“So it’s ok to jet around providing youre wealthy enough to ‘offset’ the carbon footprint?” @norfolkmum1 said on Twitter. “Trouble is Elton us plebs get fed up with people whose enormous wealth insulates them from the realities of everyday life for us mere mortals telling us how to live whilst doing the opposite.”
@Lifeisg70009322 remarked: “They brought it on themselves Elton. No one CARES about their carbon footprint-- they care that the dynamic Photoshop duo dont practice what they preach. Chill.”
Lost all 'respect' and any chance of further 'applause' for you and call upon you to prove out where these 'commitments' can be seen as doing anything beneficial for taxpayers.
— Prince Albert (@Albert_PrinceC) August 19, 2019
The Sun published photos of the couple boarding the jet as well as pictures of the incredible estate where Meghan, 38, and husband Harry, 34, had been enjoying a getaway at Sir Elton’s $27 million property.
The Royal couple have come under heavy criticism and been accused of hypocrisy for using private jets for jaunts around Europe, including on their own instagram account:
There are more than 20 scheduled departures from London airports to Nice each Wednesday, with an EasyJet return costing $415.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex flew on a 12-seater Cessna plane, which would have cost more than $36,000 to hire.
After jetting into Nice Airport, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and three-month-old baby Archie were whisked off in a Mercedes limo, with police protection, to Sir Elton’s stunning French Riviera villa, Castle Mont-Alban.
With views across the bay and to the Alps, the singer’s summer pad has been used by celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham in the past.
The hilltop villa has an impressive swimming pool and is surrounded by woodland.
Originally built in the 1920s as an artists’ colony, Sir Elton redesigned the mansion with a team of interior designers.
Andy Warhol originals adorn the walls while the villa is so huge it can be seen from across the entire bay.
The Duke and Duchess flew back to Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, just as Sir Elton, previously dubbed “the king of the hill” in Nice, husband David Furnish and their family jetted over to the luxury villa.
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Labour MP Teresa Pearce called on Harry and Meghan to “lead by example” on environmental issues.
Ms Pearce said: “Given the position they have taken publicly about being responsible on climate change, this does seem an anomaly which they should look at.
“It’s up to all of us to cut our carbon emissions, and the number of flights we take a year.
“That is really important — and someone as high profile as that should lead by example.
“I find this quite surprising because it doesn’t fit with their public image and the way they’re so concerned about the planet and the environment.”
It was the fourth time in just over a week Harry has used a private jet.
On August 6, the couple flew to Ibiza to celebrate Meghan’s 38th birthday in style with a six-day trip in the billionaire’s playground.
While it’s not known who paid for this $72,000 round-trip, the couple are thought to have rented their plane from NetJets, dubbed the ‘Uber for billionaires’.
The plane would have emitted six times more carbon dioxide than a regular commercial flight.
The Ibiza holiday came a week after Harry attended a super secret Camp Google event in Sicily.
While there, the barefoot Prince gave an impassioned speech about climate change to celebrities believed to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, Stella McCartney and Harry Styles.
According to reports, the group of celebrities flocked to the island on 114 private planes, with several staying on luxury super yachts for the three-day event.
Local media reported the A-listers “invaded” the island, clogging local roads with Masteratis, Ferraris, Porches and gas-guzzling SUVs.
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