Harry and Meghan face backlash for taking private jet for short trip

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently caught a private flight to Las Vegas with stars Zoe Saldana, Cameron Diaz, and Benji Madden to enjoy a Katy Perry concert at Resorts World Theatre. During the event, they were seen in the same VIP section as Celine Dion.

The journey from Santa Barbara to Las Vegas spans around 359 miles, a trip that takes about five to six hours by car but was shortened to a mere 75 minutes by flying.

Despite their environmental activism and previous statements about the importance of combating climate change, Harry and Meghan have faced criticism for their frequent use of private jets. They’ve been under scrutiny for taking multiple international private flights within a fortnight, prompting calls for the couple to align their actions with their advocacy on climate issues.

Prince Harry, in a past interview with Vogue magazine, voiced his environmental concerns, emphasizing humanity’s unique responsibility towards Earth. The couple has also made a commitment on their Archewell Foundation website to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and have spoken about limiting their family size for environmental reasons.

However, their travel choices, including a trip to the WellChild Awards in London, a subsequent journey to Germany for the Invictus Games, a holiday in Portugal, and a getaway to the Caribbean island of Canouan, followed by a return trip through Atlanta, have led to public scrutiny.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams pointed out to Express.co.uk that while some flights may be essential, Harry and Meghan must be careful to avoid being seen as hypocritical, considering their stance on climate change. He referred to the backlash they faced for taking four private jet trips in 11 days back in 2019, suggesting that public figures who advocate for environmental causes should strive to live by the principles they promote to avoid criticism.