Elton John says he provided private jet for Prince Harry, Meghan Markle over safety concerns
The Rocket Man sprung for the jet.
Elton John is coming to defense of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s use of a private plane during their recent vacation, saying that he provided the jet to the royal couple and son Archie to ensure their safety and privacy.
Furthermore, Sir Elton countered criticism that Harry and Meghan were being hypocritical to their eco-conscious stance by saying the jet was made carbon neutral; People magazine explained the process, saying it “typically involves calculating how much your flight generates in greenhouse gas emissions and financially contributing to a project that aims to reduce emissions by that same amount.”
John stood up for the family, which vacationed at the singer’s home in the south of France last week, with a series of tweets.
“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,” he said.
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. pic.twitter.com/WjVRDSMX0z
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 19, 2019
He cited his friendship with Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, as his and husband David Furnish’s reason for wanting to shield the prince and his family. Diana and boyfriend Dodi Fayed died in a car crash in a Paris tunnel in 1997 after their driver tried to flee paparazzi.
“Prince Harry’s Mother, Diana Princess Of Wales was one of my dearest friends,” John tweeted. “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.”
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.
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 19, 2019
The family’s trip to celebrate Meghan’s 38th birthday also included a stop in the Spanish island of Ibiza. Harry also was called out earlier this month when he also traveled by private jet to Sicily for Google Camp, a private three-day event in which climate change and other important global issues were discussed.
Ken Wharfe, who guarded Diana and sons William and Harry in the 1990s, told Vanity Fair: “During my time at the palace most of the flights we took were commercial on British Airways, the national carrier. BA were always very helpful with VIP departures and keeping the flights out of the press. I never had a problem with Diana, William and Harry on the numerous holidays we took to the Caribbean. We always flew commercial; in fact, I don’t remember flying private.”
As People pointed out, Harry last month said in an Instagram post that “every choice, every footprint, every action makes a difference.”
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