More of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Friends Come to Their Defense Following Private Jet Furor

ORIGINAL (20.08): The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s famous friends have rallied around them in a very public show of support in the past 24 hours following media reports of excessive carbon output on flights in the past week. 

Across the weekend it was reported that Harry, Meghan and baby Archie took a private jet to Nice last week to celebrate Meghan’s 38th birthday. It was also suggested that the pair took another private jet to and from Ibiza in the same 11-day period. As a result, many media outlets in the UK and beyond jumped to attack the eco-conscious couple for their “hypocrisy” around carbon neutrality. 

However, their friends are having none of it. 

Elton John posted a lengthy note on his Instagram page last night defending the pair’s holiday, revealing that they were staying at his and husband David Furnish’s private residence upon invitation. He also added that he made a donation to a carbon neutral charity to offset the carbon output from their flight in recognition of Harry and Meghan’s enviro-friendly lifestyle. 

Furthermore, as a close friend of the late Princess Diana, he berated the media for their relentless pursuit of the pair, writing, “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. 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.”

Fellow eco-warrior Ellen DeGeneres also weighed in, writing on Instagram, “Portia and I met Prince Harry and Meghan in England to talk about their work on wildlife conservation. They were the most down-to-earth, compassionate people. Imagine being attacked for everything you do, when all you’re trying to do is make the world better.” 

Both posts received a very mixed bag of responses, with some praising their loyalty and points and others doubling down on the criticism. 

UPDATE (21.08): Following Elton John and Ellen DeGeneres’ lead, a new slew of celebrities have publicly spoken out in defence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. 

Polo player Nacho Figueras commented on Elton John’s post, echoing many of his sentiments. “I also have the privilege of spending time with this [sic] 2 great human beings. I say privilege not only because of their status but because of the kind of people they are. They are the most humble and kind people that I know. And who they are should allow them to be even more inspiring to all of us. Instead the press focuses on attacking them and trying to find problems where there are not. I will defend them and what they do and who they are for as long as I live. They are a treasure in today’s society and we should be taking care of them and feeling inspired by them. I know I do. H & M, We have your back, please be patient and do not change a thing.”

Pop star Pink also called the press out for “bullying” the pair. “I’m happy to see people coming to the defense of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” she wrote on Twitter. “The way people treat her is the most public form of bullying I have seen in a while. It’s out of control. Let’s all be a bit kinder, huh? Let’s show our children that it’s cool to be kind.” 

Meanwhile Jameela Jamil, whom the Duchess chose to star on the September cover for British Vogue, also shared her opinion, writing that the British press’ targeting of Meghan in particular is because of her race. She wrote, “Ugh. Dear England and English press, just say you hate her because she’s black, and him for marrying a black woman and be done with it God dammit. Your bullying is so embarrassing and obvious. You’ve all lost your marbles. It’s 2019. Grow up.” Jamil followed it up with a second tweet that defended their use of private jets as a matter of safety. 

On Canadian shores, Jessica Mulroney, one of Meghan’s long-time best friends, shared a powerful message on Instagram, writing, “When someone faces unfair criticism, you call it out. When that person is your friend and your family, you call those critics what they truly are. Shame on you, you racist bullies.” She accompanied the post with the caption, “3 years of undeserved hate and abuse. It’s enough.”

Mulroney also shared Jameel’s tweet on her own social channels.

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