Prince Harry has finally made a public statement following the mass public outcry over this private jet flight with wife Meghan Markle, and son, Archie Harrison.
On Monday, the Duke of Sussex made his way to the Netherlands where he announced the Sussex household will partner with online travel firms that aim to transform the aviation and travel industry into being more environmentally friendly.
At the event, the vocal climate change warrior addressed his recent use of a private jet after the scandal caused A-listers such as Elton John, Ellen DeGeneres and Pink to jump to the defence of the Royal couple.
WATCH: Prince Harry addresses his critics
“No-one is perfect”, Harry said of the incident.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose to fly on a private jet rather than commercial flights – the latter option being frequently used by Prince William and Kate Middleton as of late – despite the couple speaking out on environmental issues.
For his most recent journey to the Netherlands, the Royal took a commercial flight.
Prince Harry has been working on an initiative called Travalyst, that aims to improve conservation, environmental protection and help increase the economic benefits from tourism for local communities.
In partnership with the Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, Travalust has been cofounded alongside travel industry giants Booking.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, TripAdvisor and Visa.
WATCH: Prince William and Kate Middleton spotted on a budget flight amid Meghan and Harry’s private jet outrage
What was the private jet scandal?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been vocal about issues impacting the environment, with the Duke of Sussex even proclaiming that he would only have two kids maximum so as to limit his carbon footprint. So when news broke that Meghan and Harry had taken little Archie on a holiday to the coastal French city of Nice via private jet, people began to dubb the royal couple ‘hypocrites’.
After an onslaught of negative press, Elton John took to Twitter and Instagram to defend the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, revealing that he had provided them with the private jet as well as the French holiday home.
“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,” Elton began his lengthy Instagram post.
WATCH: Elton John steps in to defend Meghan and Harry: I must protect Di’s son
“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.”
Elton goes on to explain that the private jet he organised for the environmentally friendly couple was carbon neutral.
“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. 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™.
Elton ended: “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.”
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