Harry and Meghan have been accused of ‘enormous hypocrisy’ after flying back to California from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in a ‘Russian oligarch-style’ private jet.
The eco-preaching Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to their £11million Montecito mansion with their children Archie and Lilibet on a gas-spewing Bombardier Global 6000 The Jubilee pageant had not even begun on Sunday before its grand finale.
Bombardier is An ultra-long range private jet for 13 passengers that can carry more than 6000 miles in one go. It is not clear who paid for the £160,000 flight.
Experts believe that the Sussexes’ journey would have produced ten times the carbon than a commercial flight. The royal couple’s flight from Farnborough to Santa Barbara will have emitted nearly 60 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to chartered flight provider Paramount Business Jets.
The Paris Agreement stipulates that each individual’s carbon budget must not exceed 2.1 tonnes annually to keep global warming under 2C. Harry and Meghan, however, exceeded this limit by almost 15 flights.
As Harry and Meghan also flew into Britain on a private jet, and assuming it was the same aircraft, their overall return trip would have exceeded the annual limit by nearly 30 times. By comparison, the carbon emission rating of flying from Heathrow to LA in an economy-class seat on a commercial aircraft is 1.4 tonnes, according to climate consultancy Cube6.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have previously spoken out to Oprah Winfrey about climate change during their bombshell interview last January. ‘We need to do better about stopping or allowing the things that are causing so much harm to so many of us at the source, rather than being distracted by the symptom.’
Tom Quinn is a Royal expert and has now called the Sussexes hypocrisy. The author of Kensington Palace: An Intimate Memoir from Queen Mary to Meghan Markle told The Times: ‘They pontificate about helping people and the planet and then they take private jets. Then they tell people to take care of the environment but don’t do it themselves. This is a hugely hypocritical statement.
According to him, the Bombardier 6600 was an ‘Russian Oligarch type of jet’ that is used by people who “just don’t care”, adding that it’s ‘It is almost like holding your nose at the environmental lobby.
In past times, the jet type was linked to several Russian businessmen including Farkhad Akhmedov (Roman Abramovich) and Farkhad Akhamed Akhmedov (Farkhad).
The Duke and Duchess were flown back from California by a Bombardier Global 6000.
As Harry and Meghan are unloading their luggage, the private plane they took to get there is flanked with SUVs.
Harry, pictured returning to California from an earlier flight in their private plane before the Queen’s Jubilee ended
Meghan and Harry leave the National Service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral, London on June 3, 2022
This MailOnline graphic illustrates the layout of the Bombardier Global private jet 6000.
The entourage of Harry and Meghan in California was seen riding a blue scooter for children (photo) and swinging on a wooden set, which looked identical to that given to William and Kate.
Una second assistant was also seen reaching for the scooter which was sitting on top a suitcase. Lilibet, Archie and others were not present at Jubilee. However, Archie and Lilibet could have been seen getting offloaded
Harry and Meghan celebrated their daughter Lilibet’s first birthday in Windsor yesterday with a ‘relaxed’ birthday party —with royal second cousins invited to the festivities. The couple is pictured with their children Lilibet and Archie.
Bombardier Global6000: Luxury private aircraft used by Harry & Meghan during the Jubilee Weekend
File image of the exterior of a Bombardier Global 6000
File image of the cabin inside a Bombardier Global 6000
File image of a sofa inside a Bombardier Global 6000
SECTIONS
Dimensions of the cabin – 7ft 8in
Cabin length – 48ft 2in
Cabin height – 6ft 2in
The number of passengers – 13
Baggage capacity – 194 cu ft
Flight time – 13hrs 30mins
High-speed cruise – 559mph
Photograph of a Bombardier 6000 table
Image of the cabin rmeote facility displayed on a tablet
Take a photo of your products in the shower.
TECHNOLOGY
WiFi
A flight entertainment system that is available on-demand
Every seat has universal power outlets
iPads
HD Monitor and Blu-ray are available for an ultimate movie-in-flight experience
Touchscreen controls for cabins
Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan launched new eco-travel project which would see holidaymakers ‘rated’ on their green credentials.
Harry and Meghan made a vow to make Archewell zero by 2030 during last November’s Cop26 climate conference in Glasgow. They stated that they had made ‘active choices to offset their carbon footprint and would continue to look at what they eat and how often.
They intervened after hours of silence by the Queen, who had failed to mention Sussexes in her Cop26 speech. However, she did praise Prince Charles and Prince William.
Harry also stated in May that it was very depressing to see children growing up in countries where the home country is either on fire, or submerged. Harry continued to say that climate change needs to be addressed ‘at its source.
MailOnline has reached out to the Sussexes representatives in an effort for comments.
On Friday, the Duke and Duchess Sussex saw each other for the final time before flying home today when they took part in the Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
They were largely unnoticed and spent much of their time at Frogmore Cottage. Lilibet celebrated her first birthday there, hosting a relaxed party.
The Queen and the couple stayed at Windsor to watch Her Majesty’s concert, but they did not go to the Platinum Party.
Harry and Meghan were then reported to have driven to Farnborough Airport around 1.30pm. That was about an hour prior to the Pageant which started at 2.30pm. Now they are on their way to California.
It was only hours later that the Queen, who according to sources was determined to overcome her pain and mobility problems, returned to Buckingham Palace in order to thank all the well-wishers who came out to show their gratitude.
The monarchy’s three great-grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Charles (son, Prince Charles), were flanking her.
The official roles of the Sussexes during the Jubilee were not filled by them. One aide stated to the Telegraph that they wouldn’t be playing a prominent part in the celebrations.
Richard Kay of The Daily Mail stated that this long weekend was marked by a triumph for ‘public service’ and duty over the “celebrity driven approach” of the Duke & Duchess Sussex, and that their absence was only ‘barely noted’.
He concluded, “Right Now our love for monarchy has never been greater or more lasting.”
Sunday’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant featured entertainment for the members of royal family who sat alongside their relatives and brothers. It was a parade that told the tale of Princess Diana’s life and gave a glimpse into the lives and times of our nation.
According to an insider, there wasn’t any fanfare. They just moved. They did not stay for the Platinum Jubilee pageant. This is an event that celebrates Britain, and its eccentricities and quirks during the Queen’s 70 years reign.
Harry and Meghan chose to attend this concert and yesterday’s concert instead and celebrated Lilibet’s 1st birthday in Windsor Saturday. They hosted a relaxed party with their second cousins and invited them along.
The Sussexes published a photo of Lilibet, the child – named after the Queen’s childhood nickname, Lilibet – celebrating her first birthday on Saturday at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor. There were balloons, birthday cakes, and party games, as well as picnic snacks.
Among the gifts were apparently a pastel pink VW Beetle ride-on car, £75 from Selfridges, while Sussex supporters donated $100,000 to charity in her honour. Prince Charles could have given her the same swing he purchased for Prince George.
It was the first time Lilibet had been photographed publicly since she was an infant-in arms.
The Duchess and Duke of Sussex hosted a private backyard picnic for close family and friends while they were in Britain celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. They then returned to California to catch their flight home on Sunday.
The image of Lilibet sitting happily on the grass was taken by family friend Misan Harriman, who also shared an image of Meghan holding her daughter inside Frogmore – the home they spent £2.4million of taxpayers’ money refurbishing before quitting as royals and emigrating.
Mother and red-haired child were seen posing alongside Camilla Holmstroem, the former Goldman Sachs banker who became an entrepreneur. Although Mr Harriman posted a photo on Instagram of his smiling face with Archie, it was not released of Harry and Archie.
Yesterday night, it was reported that Harry and Meghan were forbidden by the Queen from having their great-granddaughter Lilibet photographed.
It is unknown who the photographer was, but they may have been friends with Mr Harriman. He has taken photographs of Sussexes numerous times since their marriage six years ago.
On Lilibet’s first birthday, the Duke and Duchess have published a brand new photo of Lilibet.
In this picture Lilibet is seen in her mother Meghan’s arms inside Frogmore beside photographer Misan Harriman’s wife Camilla Holmstroem and their two daughter
According to reports, the 96-year old met Harry and Meghan’s daughter Thursday. According to The Sun, the couple were told that there was no chance of an official photograph because they had a private family meeting.
Palace insiders might have been concerned that any photographs taken by Harry or Meghan could be used to share them with American TV networks.
The British summer sun allowed them to enjoy a barbecue for the first time with their daughter. East London baker Claire Ptak – who made the couple’s wedding cake in 2018 – created new treats for the low-key bash. The bride later posted a photo of a tiny, peony-covered cake which could have been the one that was enjoyed by their guests.
The couple’s spokesperson did not identify the relatives who were present at the event, however Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall have been reported to be among those that attended. However, Prince William, Kate and George were there representing Queen Elizabeth.
They flew to California the next day on the gas-guzzling private aircraft of the Sussexes – just before the final celebrations of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee began.
He took portraits of Meghan with Lilibet for the Sussexes’ announcement in February 2021.
Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall, their three children Mia (8, Lena (3, and Lucas (1), as well Savannah (11, Savannah (10, Isla (10), daughters of Peter Phillips & Autumn Kelly) are all said to have been also at Frogmore Cottage.
It is believed that Archie, three years old, was invited by Charlie Van Straubenzee and Tom Van Straubenzee (godfather to Princess Charlotte).
Photo by Mr Harriman: Lilibet wrote that it was a great honor to share the occasion with her family and friends. It was joyous and everyone enjoyed the face-painting.
Twitter royal commentator, friend of Sussexes Omid Schobie stated that the couple invited friends and family to join them for an intimate backyard picnic as he posted the image.
Scobie also mentioned that Harry and Meghan’s baker Claire Ptak had made an extra order for the event.
And was told by a spokesperson for the couple that they ‘remain incredibly touched by the countless birthday wishes for their daughter’ and have also been ‘amazed’ to learn that $100K (£79,000) was donated in Lilibet’s honour.
According to spokesperson for the Sussexes, funds were donated to World Central Kitchen. This not-for profit organisation was founded in partnership with Archewell.
According to the spokesperson, Uvalde in Texas, and Ukraine have received support from this organisation.
An spokesperson for the couple didn’t name any relatives who were present at the event.
According to a source, The Sun spoke with a source about the event, saying that it was “a wonderful do” and contained everything one would expect at a birthday party for children.
“The concept was to make it casual and relaxed, so people could just pop in and go as they pleased.”
It was an opportunity for the children of the Royals to get to know Lilibet. This is her first visit in the UK.
They added that ‘lots of discussion’ had been had about the best gifts for the ‘milestone’ birthday, with a ‘£75 pink Volkswagen Beetle ride-on toy’ proving a popular idea.
Also, the couple was seen at St Paul’s Cathedral’s thanksgiving service on Friday. There was a great deal of cheering as Harry and Meghan arrived. They were then greeted by the Dean at St Paul’s at the great west gate.
The couple was on public display for the first time since the two of them left the Monarchy to start a new life in America two years ago.
After a brief conversation with the senior cleric, the pair entered the church to meet the clergy.
An aide to The Telegraph stated that while the media may try to highlight them, they will not be prominent. The line is drawn.
Harry stopped by to talk for a while with Archbishop York, who will deliver the sermon later. He is expected to praise Queen Elizabeth’s 70 year reign.
While the Sussexes can also be seen at Trooping The Colour on Thursday, however they are not on the balcony with the royals.
Lilibet was not able to be seen with her brother Archie (3 years old) at any event. They also missed Sunday’s Monarch’s surprise visit to the country from her balcony, where she surprised them both.