Sir Elton John is slamming media reports about Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry focused on their use of a private jet while on vacation.
"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," the musician wrote Monday on Twitter.
He continued in his lengthy statement, "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."
(MORE: Happy 38th birthday Meghan Markle! What's ahead for the Duchess of Sussex)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
The couple and their baby took a trip to France and flew on what we now know was the singer's jet, but given their previous statements on environmental protection and climate change awareness, a few tabloid papers focused solely on their means of travel.
John spoke up to set the record straight, especially about the carbon footprint of the plane.
"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. "To support Prince Harry’s commitment to the environment, we ensured their flight was carbon neutral, by making the appropriate contribution to Carbon Footprint."
(MORE: A look at Prince Harry and Meghan's life as new parents to baby Archie)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
To support Prince Harry’s commitment to the environment, we ensured their flight was carbon neutral, by making the appropriate contribution to Carbon Footprint™.
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 19, 2019
John closed by adding, "I highly respect and applaud both Harry and Meghan’s commitment to charity and 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."
As John mentioned, it's been a busy time for the couple; the Duchess celebrating her 38th birthday earlier this month after welcoming their first child, son Archie, in May.
Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex are also dedicated environmentalists, who often post about their work in the global community.
Earlier this month, the duo's official Instagram account featured "those persevering at the grassroots level, connecting our global community through a shared lens of giving back and helping one another."
In June, the duo also took it upon themselves to shine a light on climate change.
"There is a ticking clock to protect our planet - with climate change, the deterioration of our natural resources, endangerment of sacred wildlife, the impact of plastics and microplastics, and fossil fuel emissions, we are jeopardizing this beautiful place we call home - for ourselves and for future generations. Let’s save it. Let’s do our part," an Instagram post read.
The account added a quote from Harry, that read, "Environmental damage has been treated as a necessary by-product of economic growth. So deeply ingrained is this thinking that it has been considered part of the natural order that humankind’s development comes at the expense of our planet. 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.”
