Ellen DeGeneres, Pink join Elton John in defending Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over private jet drama: 'Imagine being attacked for everything you do'
As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to get slammed in the British press for nearly everything they do, they are getting support from some of their famous friends.
Both Elton John and Ellen DeGeneres defended the couple on Monday after news broke that they took a vacation to Nice in the south of France with their 3-month-old son, Archie, and traveled by private plane, which critics said was in contrast to their stance on protecting the environment.
John wrote on Twitter that it was actually his plane that they took — and they were traveling to his home. He noted that it was the best way to travel for their safety and the flight was carbon neutral. (Meaning a contribution was made to a climate project equivalent to the impact of the flight.) John, who was friends with Princess Diana, defended the royal couple’s commitment to environmental causes and called on the British media to “cease these relentless and untrue assassinations on their character that are spuriously crafted on an almost daily basis.”
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
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.
Elton— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 19, 2019
This led DeGeneres to speak out as well. In a post shared to Instagram, she said that she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, recently visited the royal couple to discuss wildlife conservation — something that the talk show host also champions. She described them as “down-to-earth and compassionate people. She ended her post with, “Imagine being attacked for everything you do, when all you’re trying to do is make the world better.”
And Pink chimed in too, calling the treatment of the pair “bullying.”
I’m happy to see people coming to the defense of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The way people treat her is the most public form of bullying I have seen in a while. It’s out of control. Let’s all be a bit kinder, huh? Let’s show our children that it’s cool to be kind.
— P!nk (@Pink) August 20, 2019
These celebrities speaking out definitely haven’t helped turn the tide for Harry and Meghan. Commenters weighed in to call the couple — and the celebs — hypocrites and other names.
So we give up our flights to save the planet but you rich can still fly but “ pay a carbon emission” payment. Utter hypocrite
— Lynda Morris (@coronersgirl) August 20, 2019
That's no good, you miss the point. It is the height of hypocrisy to express concern for the climate, then use a private jet, however hard you've been working.
— Ray D O'Lisner (@dgibbo100) August 20, 2019
Sooo errrmmm only the wealthy can pollute...is common folk can hoof it. Gotcha.#eliterules#carbonfootprint #tonedeaf
— J. Martin (@geegimoto) August 20, 2019
They are not celebrities like you. They are members of the royal family and need to demonstrate some restraint.
— Laura#StandUp4Brexit (@lauran1902) August 20, 2019
How about calling on the SUSSEX'S to behave as ROYALS instead of WOKE, ENVIRONMENTAL, HOLLYWOOD, CELEBRITIES. Public pay MILLIONS for them to represent ALL BRITISH PEOPLE, not just those who believe in woke causes. Public is RIGHT to Complain - Not getting what THEY PAID FOR!
— Without a trace (@BardenTracie) August 20, 2019
DeGeneres was told not to “preach” to her followers.
Pink also faced criticism over her post.
Right. So let’s be kind to hypocrites.
— Fartel Engelbert (@fartelengelbert) August 20, 2019
Hypocrisy. And it’s laughable that they need to be defended in the first place. By celebs no less. This circus is getting a few surprising guests. Carry on with the shit show shallow elitists. pic.twitter.com/paxcbvXztO
— Ace in the Trap (@everoarke7) August 20, 2019
That said, some did appreciate their efforts as the couple is regularly the topic of negative headlines — whether it’s their purported feud with Prince William and Kate Middleton, Markle’s ongoing drama with her family or their pricey home renovation.
Thank you Elton John for silencing the ugly trolls on Harry and Meghan. They are a lovely family trying to live a private life. They will share more pictures of baby Archie when they are ready. Peace ??
— Kathy Jones (@KathyJo64599586) August 20, 2019
It’s horrific and disturbing the way people hate her.
— Jen (@YellowMustard19) August 20, 2019
Thank you for using your platform to support HRH the Duchess of Sussex. She deserves SO much more support than Britain has shown her.
— Bon Latino (@BonnieLatino) August 20, 2019
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