Why Meghan And Harry Are Facing Harsh Backlash From Critics Over Their Travel Methods

While all eyes were on Queen Elizabeth during her Platinum Jubilee, royal watchers were also paying close attention to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple made their return to the U.K. for the first time together since stepping down from their royal duties in 2020, traveling to Great Britain with their two children, son Archie and daughter Lilibet. 

Although they were excluded from standing on the royal balcony with the queen during the Trooping of Colour, Harry and Meghan seemed happy to attend the National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral. The crowd surprised everyone by greeting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with mostly cheers. 

While they decided to skip a luncheon at The Guildhall after the service, as well as a small family gathering after the Trooping the Colour (via People), Harry and Meghan did throw Lilibet a first birthday party at their old home, Frogmore Cottage (per The Sun). The visit was capped with Queen Elizabeth finally getting to meet Lilibet.

Despite the good vibes, Harry and Meghan made an abrupt exit from the U.K. just one hour before the end of the Jubilee. "There was no fanfare, they just went," a source told Daily Mail. "They didn't stick around for the Platinum Jubilee pageant which is a celebration of Britain and all of its quirks and eccentricities over the Queen's 70 year reign."

And now the couple is under fire for the mode of transport they chose for their trip back to the states.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing criticism for making their trip back to the U.S. in a private plane. According to The Times, the aircraft – a Bombardier Global 6000 — is an "ultra-long-range" plane that can travel 6,000 miles without having to stop to refuel. It is big enough for 13 passengers and even boasts a private stateroom.

But all of that luxury comes at a cost to the environment. Harry and Meghan's trip from the U.K. emitted almost 60 tons of carbon dioxide — nearly 15 times the annual limit recommended by the Paris Agreement, per the New York Post. 

The mode of transport was surprising given the couple's support of eco-friendly causes. In fact, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had pledged that their foundation, Archewell, would reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

"They pontificate about helping people and the planet and then they take private jets," royal expert Tom Quinn told The Times. "They tell people to look after the environment and then they don't look after the environment themselves. It's enormously hypocritical."

He added: "It's bad enough to get private jets, but to get one where the emissions are particular bad is almost like sticking two fingers up at the environmental lobby."