After several weeks of much-publicized criticism, Prince Harry has addressed his reasons for flying on private jets with his wife: The Duchess of Sussex, and their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor.
Speaking in Amsterdam for a new flying scheme, 'Travalyst' - the new scheme that Meghan and Harry announced the launch of which aims to change the impact of travel, Prince Harry said 'I came here by commercial. I spend 99 per cent of my life travelling the world by commercial.' he added 'Occasionally there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe. It's genuinely as simple as that.'
As part of a panel that included representatives from Booking.com, SkyScanner, Ctrip, TripAdvisor and Visa, he added that 'We could all do better' in our commitment to travelling in and eco friendly way, 'I've always offset my CO2, I think part of the group discussion we had earlier was 'what is off-setting CO2?'
In August Prince Harry and Meghan Markle came under fire for using a private jet to travel to Nice. It came after two other jet-fuelled European trips this Summer, one to Ibiza for Meghan’s birthday and another to Sicily where Harry flew to discuss climate change at a Google-sponsored conference.
Naturally, everyone was pointing out the hypocrisy of two people using a private jet so frequently while championing climate change causes and making statements like ‘every choice, every footprint, every action makes a difference’.
Most notably, many were up in arms about Harry’s climate change speech at Google Camp in July, given that the VIP event saw a host of celebrities attend via private jets and super yacht’s that racked up a massive 800-tonne carbon footprint in the process.
Of course, lambasting celebrities for campaigning about climate change while travelling via private jet is fair. But lambasting Meghan and Harry? That’s where it gets more complicated.
As many have pointed out, there are many other ways you can travel to Nice, Ibiza or Sicily. In fact, in one frankly hilarious example The Sun even suggested that Meghan, Harry and Archie could have taken an easyJet flight.
But, this isn’t mere celebrities we’re talking about (no offence, celebs), Meghan and Harry are literal royals. And, they’re not just royals, they’re THE royals. Not only is everyone and their dog obsessed with writing about or getting a picture of Meghan and Harry (and their new son) but they’re also subject to extreme trolling and death threats. More specifically, Meghan is. The vile vitriol towards her, we don’t doubt, has made security around her public appearances much tighter.
Realistically, Meghan and Harry cannot fly commercially with their son, not even in first class. They might be able to separately, but altogether as a family, as three of the most highly protected and sought-after royals on one plane? We could only imagine it would be a logistical nightmare. Can you imagine the security protocols, the delays and boarding process of a public flight that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on?
Meghan has been subject to death threats ever since her relationship with Harry went public. So much so that people even made terrorist threats towards the couple on their wedding day, and Meghan herself has admitted she doesn’t feel safe when she reads what is written about her online. In fact, she doesn’t at all anymore because ‘it’s much safer that way’, she told The Economist back in March.
Naturally, you can see why Meghan and Harry, plus the security forces responsible for protecting their lives would be paranoid about travelling on a public plane with their young baby.
Of course, there are ways to travel to Nice that don’t involve the public transport of planes or trains. Drive perhaps, or rent a boat and sail. It would take near 15 hours in a car with a young baby, but still, if you’re committed to the cause, why not try?
Well, actually, because that would less environmentally friendly. According to Rome2Rio, the distance from London to Nice would be 848 miles by car – not including however the boat they would have to rent polluted the earth – whereas flying amounts to 647 miles. According to National Geographic Green Guide, you double your emissions by driving over flying - not least because CO2 for a cars exhaust stays in the atmosphere for centuries whereas plane fumes are not long-lasting.
Of course, the private jet component complicates things slightly, as an empty plane is much less environmentally friendly than a full one (as many have noted) but we can assume that when considering the difference between driving 848 miles or flying 647 miles - the carbon footprint wouldn't be massively different.
So it seems that when considering the safety implications of flying public, they were actually quite responsible when flying to Nice.
There is one other option though, and that would be to not go away at all. Never go on holiday as a family, never celebrate your birthday abroad together. This might be slightly ridiculous to suggest, but people may expect it at least for the time being that their chosen charitable cause is climate change. Because, as many MANY people have pointed out, it seems hypocritical.
But then you have to ask, if these are the cards their dealt now – where if they have to fly together they can only go private – is it not better that they’re self-aware of the damage their causing and trying to do something about it?
Meghan and Harry have to pick charitable causes to champion as part of their royal responsibilities, so would it not be worse if they ignored climate change because of insecurity about their own carbon footprint? Consider Harry’s Sicily trip. Yes, it was wildly ironic to attend a conference where you’re discussing climate change via private jet. But also, you’re then giving a speech to a room of people who do actually have the option not to.
More than that, they’re the real power players who have a chance at changing the way we tackle the climate crisis. Corporation heads who can change the carbon footprint of their enterprise – which actually contribute a lot more to climate crisis than individuals ever will - or celebrities who have massive platforms and powerful political connections who can fight for these causes.
Watch: Relive Meghan and Harry's wedding day
Yes, Harry could’ve not gone and delivered his speech via Skype or something, but would it have the same impact? Would he have the same opportunities to meet and network with these people and make a personal connection with those who can make such powerful changes?
It seems that, when we judge Meghan and Harry off the bat for their private jet choices, we’re missing the point. Because, more than all of this we have to consider, Meghan and Harry are very aware of the public perception of them. If they had another way to travel, can we not assume that they would?
Not only do they seem to genuinely care about the cause, but we must believe they at the very least care about what the public think of them. Do we really think that they would be so brazenly hypocritical for the purpose of luxury whims and wanting to travel in style? Surely, we can accept that even if it is for their own image sake and nothing else, they would avoid the terrible PR optics of using a private jet when championing climate change by travelling on a public plane, if that was at all possible for them to do.
Plus, they didn’t have to choose this cause. They can pick any charity in the world to raise the profile of. If they didn’t authentically care about this, they just wouldn’t discuss it.
For us, it seems that this is just yet another opportunity for people to jump on the hate train towards Meghan and Harry. And honestly, we’re very ready for that journey to
Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline...
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relationship timeline - Grazia
1 of 17July 2016: Meghan And Harry Meet
So when did the future Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were introduced by a mutual friend in July 2016, originally thought to be Markus Anderson (also the director of Soho house) but who was later confirmed to be Violet von Westenholz. Meghan said in an interview that before she met the Harry she didn't know much about him 'the only thing that I had asked [our mutual friend] was, 'Well is he nice?'. According to Harry he knew Meghan was The One from 'the very first time we met.' after only two dates Harry asked Meghan to accompany him on a trip to Botswana.
2 of 17October - November 2016: Kensington Palace's Statement
In October 2016 that the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend. However just a month later, Kensington Palace released a statement condemning the 'wave of abuse and harassment' faced by Meghan. The unprecedented statement, which referred to Meghan as Harry's girlfriend for the first time, emphasized that Prince Harry was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.' It continued 'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm.' The palace were also forced to address speculation that Prince William was unhappy with Harry for confirming the relationship too soon, stating 'The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.'
3 of 17December - February 2017: Things Get More Serious
Early in December 2017 Meghan was confirmed as the most Googled actress of 2016. In the same month, the couple were photographed together for the first time in London, shopping for a Christmas tree at the Pines and Needles store and attending a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. By January 2017 a source told US weekly that Harry had introduced Meghan to Kate and Prince Charlotte and that the 'meeting went well'. Meanwhile a source told The Sun that Meghan had 'virtually moved in' with Prince Harry to his cottage on the Kensington Palace estate.
4 of 17March - May 2017: Meghan Attends Weddings With Harry
By March things were openly getting pretty serious between the two: Meghan accompanied Harry to Jamaica for a wedding for the first time (his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip to Lara Hughes-Young). On April the 7th Meghan announced that she was closing down her lifestyle blog The Tig writing 'What began as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity. You've made my days brighter and filled this experience with so much joy.' In May, Meghan and Harry attended their first public event together at the Polo in Coworth Park (where they also engaged in some PDA). Later in May Prince Harry was seen driving Meghan to the reception of Pippa Middleton and James Matthew's wedding.
5 of 17September 2017: The First Official Public Appearance
Welcome to Meghan the style Icon: at the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games in September Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands, Aritzia with a burgundy biker jacket by Mackage. The next day the couple were photographed sitting together at the wheelchair tennis and 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and kissing at the closing ceremony. On the 5th of September In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan stated: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
6 of 17September-November 2017: Meghan Leaves Behind Rachel Zane
Late 2017 we saw the end of everyone's favourite legal powerhouse Rachel Zane (sob). In November 2017, shortly after Meghan met the Queen, the actress was reported to be leaving her role in Suits after seven seasons.
7 of 17November 2017: The Engagement
After months of speculation, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating On November 27th 2017 . The engagement ring, said to be designed by Harry, is made of two stones that belonged to Princess Diana. The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label (whose website subsequently crashed). When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!' Speaking about his late mother, Princess Diana, Harry said 'I think they'd be thick as thieves. She would be over the moon, jumping up and down, so excited for me... It's days like today when I really miss having her around and miss being able to share the happy news. With the ring, I'm sure she's with us, jumping up and down somewhere else.' it was announced that the wedding would take place on May the 19th, 2018.
8 of 17December 2017: The Fab Four
In December 2017 Meghan, Harry, Kate and William were photographed together attending the Christmas service at Sandringham. Pictures of the two couples earned them the title 'The Fab Four'. Meanwhile in the following months Meghan earned a reputation for breaking royal protocol on official visits by hugging fans of the couple and kissing them on the cheek.
9 of 17February 2018: Kate And Meghan Appear In Public Together
In February 2018, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle had their first royal engagement together for the Royal Foundation Forum with Prince Harry and Prince William. Harry stated of the two couples 'We have different opinions and they work really well [together]. Working as family does have its challenges; of course it does. The fact that everybody is laughing shows they know exactly what's it like… But we are stuck together for the rest of our lives.'
10 of 17May 2018: The Lead Up To The Wedding
In the lead-up to the wedding it was confirmed 2,640 people would be invited to the grounds of Windsor Palace to watch the royal wedding. Photos of Meghan and Harry's wedding invitations were released, bearing Harry's legal name 'Henry'. Meghan and Harry made a number of public appearances together including to the Invictus game tryouts in April and attend the Queen's birthday at the Royal Albert Hall. Meghan's final episode of Suits is also aired, marking the official end of her acting career.
11 of 17May 2018: Meghan's Family Drama Begins
On May the 14th, three days before the wedding Meghan's father, Thomas Markle sr. who was confirmed to walk Meghan down the aisle pulled out, following an embarrassing incident in which he staged paid paparazzi photos. Thomas Markle later suffered a heart attack, and his son Thomas Markle Jr. penned an unflattering open letter to Harry criticizing Meghan and encouraging him to pull out of the wedding. The day before the wedding, Kensington Palace announced Prince Charles would walk Meghan down the aisle, stating 'The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way.'
12 of 17May 2018: The Royal Wedding
Meghan and Harry wed on the 19th of May for a combined audience of 11.5 million people who tuned in to watch the ceremony. Meghan's gown was made by Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy which she later changed for a silk crepe dress by Stella McCartney. Her mother Doria Ragland attended the ceremony along with a host of celebrities including Meghan's former Suits cast and her close friends, George and Amal Clooney.
13 of 17May - October 2018: Married Life
Throughout May of 2018 Harry and Meghan made their first official appearances as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. For her inaugural attendance to the Trooping of the Colour Meghan wore an off-the-shoulder dress, reportedly breaking royal protocal. In the following months the newlyweds made a number of public appearances including to Ireland to meet the country's officials. They also took a rumoured trip to visit George and Amal Clooney in Lake Como.
14 of 17October 2018: The Royal Baby Announcement
Speculation began during Princess Eugenie's wedding that Meghan was pregnant owing to her loose coat. The rumours were confirmed when Kensington Palace announced on the 15th of October 2018 that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were expecting a child. The announcement also coincided with the first day of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official tour.
15 of 17October 2018: Meghan And Harry's First Royal Tour
In October Meghan and Harry departed for their 16-day Autumn royal tour visiting Australia, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand (obviously featuring some serious style moments from the newly-appointed Duchess of Sussex/Style). By November, sources were telling news outlets that the couple were preparing to move to Frogmore cottage in Windsor in 2019. The couple spent the anniversary of their engagement, November the 27th apart, due to Harry being in Zambia.
16 of 17November 2018 - Present: Feud Rumours
As Meghan and Harry embarked on life as newlyweds there was less plainsailing, as controversy continued to follow closely on their heels. Meghan's family have continued to be the subject of unflattering media headlines and Thomas Markle gave interviews to the media about his distanced relationship with his daughter. Meanwhile Samantha Markle (Meghan's half sister, who also claims to be penning a book about the Duchess) was put on a fixated persons list after showing up at Kensington palace in January. Rumours of a froideur between Meghan and Kate were sparked shortly after Meghan and Harry's nuptials by reports that Meghan reduced Kate 'to tears' during challenging dress fittings with Princess Charlotte. In February, Thomas Markle leaks a handwritten letter from Meghan to the media in response to friends of the Duchess defending her in an interview and following numerous staff changes, rumours arise that Meghan and Harry's staff refer to Meghan by the nickname 'The difficult Duchess'.
17 of 17March 2019: The Royal Households Split
In March 2019 it was confirmed that the Sussex and Cambridge's 'royal households' will split, meaning the couples will no longer share staff. Royal spokespersons confirm that Kate and William's staff team will stay in Kensington Palace while Meghan and Harry's staff will be based in Buckingham Palace, reflecting the location of their new residence of Frogmore cottage in Windsor. Representatives are quick to confirm this is a planned move, and not due to rumors of growing tensions between the couples.