Sir Elton John has defended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they faced heavy criticism in the tabloid press for using private jets to go on holiday.
The royal couple and their baby son Archie took two holidays over the past couple of weeks: first reportedly to Ibiza for a birthday break for the Duchess of Sussex and then to the south of France where they stayed in John's villa.
When reports of their private holidays came to light, some newspapers and commentators criticised the couple, accusing them of hypocrisy for using private jets to go on trips, while also campaigning for the environment and against the climate crisis.
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Considering the couple's most recent holiday was to John and husband David Furnish' holiday home in Nice, the 72-year-old said he was 'deeply distressed' by 'malicious' newspaper stories' about their visit.
Sharing a picture of the couple engaging in charity work on his Instagram page, John clarified that he and Furnish provided the couple with a private jet 'to maintain a high level of much-needed protection' so they could relax and enjoy a private holiday 'inside the safety and tranquility of our home'.
He also said that due to Harry's role as an environmental campaigner, John and Furnish ensured the flight was carbon neutral by making a contribution to offset the carbon footprint.
'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 almost a daily basis,' he wrote.
In his defence of the couple - whose wedding he attended and reportedly performed at last year - he also referred to his close friendship with Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, saying it is because of this why he feels a need to protect and stand up for the Duke of Sussex.
'Diana was one of my dearest friends,' John wrote. '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.'
The royal family has not commented since John's statement.
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Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.
