Meghan and Harry’s Private-Jet Journey From Elton John’s French Villa Sparks Fresh Questions

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced renewed scrutiny in August 2019 after they were photographed leaving the South of France on a private jet with their three-month-old son, Archie Harrison.

The couple had been staying at Sir Elton John’s £15million home on the French Riviera during a private family break. On Saturday, August 17, they boarded a 12-seat Cessna and flew back to Farnborough Airfield in Hampshire.

The trip attracted attention because it was reported to be the couple’s fourth private-jet journey in 11 days.

A luxury getaway on the French Riviera

Harry, Meghan and Archie had travelled to Nice on Wednesday, August 14, before being driven to Elton John’s hilltop villa, Castel Mont-Alban.

The property, which overlooks the bay and the Alps, has previously been used by celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham. The villa features a swimming pool, woodland surroundings and original Andy Warhol artworks.

The Sussexes returned to Hampshire on August 17, using the same private aircraft for the journey home.

The trip came shortly after the couple had also travelled privately to Ibiza for Meghan’s 38th birthday.

The cost and carbon debate

According to the original report, hiring the 12-seat Cessna for the journey would have cost more than £20,000. By comparison, there were more than 20 scheduled departures from London airports to Nice each Wednesday, with an EasyJet return ticket costing £232 at the time.

The private flight was also reported to generate seven times more emissions per passenger than a commercial flight.

The return from Nice was estimated to have a carbon footprint of more than three tons, while the couple’s earlier Ibiza trip was thought to have produced more than four tons.

For context, the article noted that the average person in the UK has a carbon footprint of 13 tons per year.

The figures prompted criticism because Harry and Meghan had publicly spoken about environmental issues.

Elton John defends the Sussexes

Sir Elton John strongly defended his friends after the backlash, explaining that he had invited the young family to his home for a private holiday.

He said he and his husband, David Furnish, wanted Harry, Meghan and Archie to enjoy some peace and privacy following a busy year.

Elton also said the private jet had been provided to maintain the family’s protection and that the flight had been made carbon neutral through a contribution to Carbon Footprint.

The couple nevertheless continued to face criticism.

Their Sussex Royal Instagram account shared a message encouraging followers to do their little bit of good, but some commenters argued that avoiding private jets would also help the environment.

Television presenter Piers Morgan criticised the couple on social media, while Labour MP Teresa Pearce said their travel choices appeared inconsistent with their public position on climate change.

She argued that people with such a high profile should lead by example when it came to reducing emissions.

A summer of private travel

The French trip came during a particularly busy period of travel for Harry and Meghan.

On July 30, Harry attended Google Camp in Sicily, an exclusive three-day event focused on climate change. Reports said 114 private planes were used to bring attendees to the island, with luxury yachts and high-end cars also forming part of the event.

Harry had spoken at the gathering about climate change and reiterated his view that he and Meghan would have two children because of his environmental concerns.

Just a week later, on August 6, Harry and Meghan travelled by private jet to Ibiza for Meghan’s birthday, where they spent six days.

The cost of that return flight was reported at £40,000, although it was not known who paid for it. The couple were thought to have hired the aircraft from NetJets.

The Sussexes then returned to the UK by private jet on August 12 before travelling to Nice two days later.

By the time they flew back to Hampshire on August 17, their series of private journeys had become a significant talking point.

The debate ultimately centred on the tension between luxury travel, privacy and environmental responsibility — issues that continued to attract attention around the Sussexes’ public life.