Prince Harry branded ‘hypocrite’ after flying on fuel-guzzling private jet owned by oil heir to attend Katy Perry gig
PRINCE Harry and wife Meghan were branded “eco-hypocrites” tonight after travelling to a Katy Perry gig on a Texan oil heir’s private plane.
The preachy environmentalists flew from California to Las Vegas and back on a Gulfstream jet with pals Cameron Diaz, her rocker hubby Benji Madden and actress Zoe Saldana.
Royal expert Angela Levin told The Sun: “He set up this Travalyst charity which was all about not using private planes. He’s still their patron. I think he should get the sack.”
Hours later, Harry’s brother William flew to Singapore on a commercial BA flight.
Ms Levin said of the Sussexes: “They think they have gotten so grand, they wouldn’t dream of taking a normal flight.
“They’ve got all these rich friends to pay for it. It’s worse than ‘do as I say, not as I do’ because he’s a patron of a charity.
“William was welcomed hugely in Singapore, which must have annoyed Harry and Meghan. This sort of behaviour is exactly why we call them eco-hypocrites.”
Harry helped launch Travalyst in 2019, a “bold global initiative with the ambition to change the impact of travel, for good”.
Last year he warned the UN that climate change was “wreaking havoc on our planet” and “our world is on fire”.
The 2009 Gulfstream jet he took to Las Vegas is co-owned by oil heir Michael Herd, whose Texan tycoon grandad Bob died in 2019.
It emits around two tons of CO2 an hour — compared to an average Brit producing 8.2 tons per year.
Herd and billionaire wife Whitney Wolfe, chief exec and founder of dating app Bumble, have recently grown close to the Sussexes in their California hometown of Montecito.
The Texan was seen near Meghan and a bored-looking Harry at the final show of Katy Perry’s Vegas residency, where they also rubbed shoulders with ballad queen Celine Dion.
The group landed back in Santa Barbara on Herd’s jet at around 1am on Sunday.
A witness said: “Whitney made a beeline for Meghan when they were all getting off. Meghan was walking to the car but Whitney ran up to her for a chat. It was like she was determined to show Meghan she is a ‘bestie’.”
Harry’s gas-guzzling jaunt came as it was reported he will not be travelling to the UK for his father King Charles’ 75th birthday celebrations next Tuesday.
Herd confirmed the trip with the royals, saying: “We just went to dinner and to see Katy’s last show. They’re nice people.” Asked about criticism of Harry and Meghan taking a private jet, he said: “I don’t have any comment, I’m not them.”
The Sun also contacted reps for Harry, Meghan and Bumble.
Harry has previously defended his use of private jets.
He stated in 2019: “I spend 99 per cent of my life travelling the world by commercial. Occasionally there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe.”
WILLS FLIES BA TO GREEN AWARDS
By Matt Wilkinson
PRINCE William caught a commercial flight for today’s eco-awards in Singapore — after banning VIP guests and finalists from arriving there in private jets.
He arrived on Sunday afternoon after flying around 7,000 miles on an overnight 13-hour British Airways flight from Heathrow.
Wills wore a tie made from recycled plastic as he delivered an address at a conference tackling the illegal wildlife trade. His Earthshot Awards — set up to find ways to save the planet — have already handed out £10million.
Projects include turning seaweed into recyclable food packaging and growing coral.
Another £5million will be handed out tonight at a ceremony which will include a video address by TV wildlife expert Sir David Attenborough.
Kensington Palace said it “worked very hard to make sure everyone that travels to Earthshot is flying commercially” and it is “offsetting travel in other ways”.
William opened the conference by saying he was “very sorry” wife Kate could not attend, as she helped Prince George, ten, with his exams.
The Prince of Wales also took part in a dragon boat race against a team skippered by the British High Commissioner.
He said: “We won, so I’ll take that. The High Commissioner planned it very well.”