Elton John reveals HE paid for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s private holiday jet as he launches passionate defence of couple amid ‘hypocrite’ row
SIR Elton John has revealed he paid for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to travel by private jet to visit his £15million swanky home in Nice.
The Rocket Man singer, 72, confirmed that he provided the luxury 12-seater Cessna plane, that would have cost over £20,000 to hire, due to the “high level of much-needed protection.”
Elton John launched a passionate defence of the couple on Twitter after photos emerged of them boarding a private jet with son Archie, and begged for ‘fair coverage’.
He said: “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.”
SIR ELTON JOHN'S TWEETS IN FULL
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.
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.
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
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were pictured boarding a private jet with son Archie Harrison in the South of France – their fourth gas-guzzling flight in just 11 days.
The snaps of the Duke and Duchess, who had been enjoying a summer holiday at Sir Elton John’s palatial £15million pad, were taken as they returned to England at 2.30pm on Saturday.
The Sun on Sunday broke the exclusive about the pair’s French getaway.
Meghan, 38, and husband Harry, 34, have come under heavy criticism and been accused of hypocrisy after recently speaking out about environmental issues, and then using private jets for their jaunts around Europe.
There are more than 20 scheduled departures from London airports to Nice each Wednesday, with an EasyJet return costing £232.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex flew on a 12-seater Cessna plane, which would have cost more than £20,000 to hire, that generates seven times the emissions per person when compared to a commercial flight.
After jetting into Nice Airport on Wednesday, 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, Castel Mont-Alban.
With views across the bay and to the Alps, the singer’s summer pad has been used by celebs including David and Victoria Beckham in the past.
The hilltop villa has an impressive swimming pool and is surrounded by woodland.
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, on Saturday.
They left 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.
The Sussex Royal account shared an unfortunately-timed quote this afternoon which urged followers to “do your little bit of good”, following the backlash.
Fans said if the couple “stopped using private jets” it would “help the world too”.
One critic wrote: “How about you do your little bit of good and stop taking flights on private jets?”
Another added: “Are you done jet setting and being hypocrites?”
TV host Piers Morgan also criticised the royals today, tweeting: “Jeez… these two ‘eco-warriors’ are something else. Beyond parody.”
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday last week, 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.”
ROYAL JET-SETTERS
Tuesday July 30: Prince Harry speaks at the Google Summit in Sicily
Tuesday August 6: Harry and Meghan Markle fly by private jet to Ibiza
Monday August 12: The couple return to the UK by private jet
Wednesday August 14: Meghan, Harry and baby Archie fly to Nice by private plane
Saturday August 17: They fly back to Hampshire in the same 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 £40,000 round-trip, the couple are thought to have rented their plane from NetJets, dubbed the ‘Uber for billionaires’.
The Ibiza holiday came a week after Harry attended a super secret Google Camp event in Sicily – on July 30.
While there, the barefoot Prince gave an impassioned speech about climate change to celebs believed to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, Stella McCartney and Harry Styles.
He also repeated his vow to only have two kids because of his eco-concerns.
According to reports, the A-listers flocked to the island on 114 private planes, with several staying on luxury super yachts for the three-day event.
Local media claimed stars “invaded” the island, clogging local roads with Masteratis, Ferraris, Porches and gas-guzzling SUVs.
Harry also attended the event in 2017 – when he was rumoured to have taken Meghan with him.
Despite the vast consumption on display, the tech giant’s exclusive getaway is focused on climate change.
An insider told the New York Post: “I’ve never seen such a pampered bunch. Everything is laid on for them. It’s so extravagant.
“They just don’t seem to be aware that they’re the ones burning huge amounts of fossil fuels.
“They turn up with unnecessary entourages in helicopters or fast cars and then preach about saving the world.”
MORE MEGHAN MARKLE
The Verdura Resort, where the event took place, is bigger than Monaco and houses a 203-room five-star hotel, three golf courses, six tennis courts, a football pitch, four swimming pools and a water sports club.
For the entertainment, Google rented out the impressive Valley of the Temples ruins in nearby Agrigento where guests enjoy top cuisine and the performance of a famous singer.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin also performed, while Barack Obama was due to give a speech but was a no-show, according to reports.