Elton John defends Harry and Meghan over use of private jets
Singer reveals he paid for a flight for the Duke and Duchess
of Sussex and their son Archie
PA Media
Mon 19 Aug 2019 23.43 BST Last modified on Tue 20 Aug 2019
01.00 BST
Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Elton John hit back
at what he called ‘these relentless and untrue assassinations’ on the character
of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock
Sir Elton John has defended the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
over their use of private jets, revealing that he had paid for a flight for
them and their son Archie to “maintain a high level of much-needed protection”.
The singer hit back at what he called “these relentless and
untrue assassinations on their character”, after Prince Harry and Meghan faced
mounting criticism for reportedly taking four private jet journeys in 11 days,
rather than opting for commercial flights, despite speaking out on
environmental issues. Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
John tweeted that he had made sure the flight was carbon
neutral by making the “appropriate contribution” to a carbon footprint fund.
“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.
“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.”
He added: “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.”
The musician famously performed at the funeral of Harry’s
late mother Diana in 1997, singing a specially reworked version of his song
Candle In The Wind.
He was also among the celebrity guests invited to Harry and
Meghan’s wedding in Windsor last year.
The Sussexes’ trip to Nice to stay in John’s home came after
a reported holiday to Ibiza to mark the duchess’s 38th birthday earlier this
month.
On Monday, Harry and Meghan posted a quote on their
@sussexroyal Instagram account by Archbishop Desmond Tutu that read: “Do your
little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together
that overwhelm the world.”
The couple received many positive messages in response, but
some were critical, saying: “Doing your bit of good for the environment this
week …” and “Stop flying private jets!!!!”
The duke has been vocal about environmental damage to the
planet. He said on Instagram last month: “Only now are we starting to notice
and understand the damage that we’ve been causing.
“With nearly 7.7 billion people inhabiting this Earth, every
choice, every footprint, every action makes a difference.”
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