The conflict was sparked after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry came under fire when it was revealed the couple repeatedly jetted off to Europe on private jets earlier this month after complaining about threats to the environment. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced criticism for allegedly getting involved in politics with their warnings about climate change in the September issue of Vogue, which Meghan guest-edited earlier this year. The couple made four plane trips over an 11 day period.

Royal expert Anna Whitelock and anti-monarchy campaigner Graham Smith came to blows over the alleged foible on Sky News this afternoon, particularly when Mr Smith began accusing other royals of the same behaviour.

Ms Whitelock pointed out: “The Queen is, of course, the great user and champion of the royal train even though it’s not particularly modern and comfortable.

“And she uses that.

“I think the royals would say that they do the carbon offsetting, but yes, the optics don’t look good and maybe there is time for something much more radical.”

JUST IN: How Meghan Markle got her ‘long, lean, camera-ready look’

But Mr Smith thundered: “I mean, The Queen takes a helicopter from Windsor to Buckingham Palace.

“They routinely fly around the country!”

Ms Whitelock reminded him: “There are practical and security considerations that also have to be taken into account.”

But Mr Smith saved his greatest criticism for another member of the Royal Family.

He snapped: “Prince Charles is the biggest hypocrite in this instance.

“He goes on talking about the environment all the time – he flies round England and up to Scotland by helicopter and private jet routinely.

“And that is not an environmentally friendly way to do it.

“There’s no reason why he can’t get the train – a regular train, not the royal train – or simply driving up is better than getting a helicopter and a private jet.”

Meanwhile, Royal expert Rob Jobson warned that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s behaviour was leaving them “exposed” to public disapproval.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Jobson said: “We’re talking about Meghan and Harry in particular, it’s about what they are doing and what they are saying.

DON’T MISS

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry defended over private jet backlash [ROYAL]
Cressida Bonas engagement ring worth more than Meghan’s? [ROYAL]
Will Smith’s wife claims it is ‘not a good moment’ for Meghan Markle [ROYAL]

“This morning they’ve posted on their Instagram account about doing a little bit of good and the people came straight back saying, ‘stop jumping into private jets.’

“It’s about leaving yourself exposed.”

Meghan and Harry spent the week after the Duchess’ birthday in Ibiza with their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and later travelled to France to visit family friend Elton John in his home in Nice.

The pop singer came to the defence of the Duke and Duchess, revealing he had lent his private jet to the couple to help them maintain a “certain level of security” and had donated money to charity Carbon Footprint to offset the impact the flight had on the environment.

Mr Jobson continued: “They’ve got their little baby, they are very protective of the child, they don’t want people taking pictures on their mobile phones. This was offered to them and they took it.

“But when you’re then collecting awards in Australia, not that long ago, saying your dad is an environmental champion and talking like that, you’ve got to be careful about lecturing people.

“They don’t like it, particularly on climate change for some reason, people just don’t like being told do as I say, not as I do.”

Source: Read Full Article