Backlash over Harry & Meg’s Ibiza getaway
Now the pair want to flee “toxic” UK
It must be exhausting being constantly in the public eye – especially when that public eye seems so intent on glowering. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have faced yet another week of criticism, with royal fans blasting them as “hypocrites” and “parasites”, after the self-proclaimed environmentalists took a private jet to Ibiza for a secret holiday. And friends say the couple are quickly reaching their limit, even threatening to leave the UK for good.
“They both feel like the atmosphere around them is positively toxic right now,” says heat’s insider close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who welcomed baby Archie in May. “It’s like everyone is against Harry and Meghan, and ready to pick apart everything they do –
they’re sick of it.” The latest bout of negativity came after it was revealed that the couple chose to celebrate Meghan’s 38th birthday – and Archie’s first holiday – with a six-day trip to Ibiza via a gas-guzzling private jet, producing seven times more CO2 emissions than a regular flight, from a firm dubbed the “Uber for billionaires”. The family stayed in a secluded private villa and were able to evade paparazzi and fellow holiday makers.
Their trip came just days after Harry attended a Google climate retreat, where he reportedly gave an impassioned speech about saving the planet. He also spoke about the “terrifying” effects of climate change during an interview with Vogue earlier this month, and shared an Insta post on their Sussexroyal verified account in July, writing, “With nearly 7.7billion people inhabiting this Earth, every choice, every footprint, every action makes a difference.” Fans were deeply unimpressed, with one tweeting, “Pair of hypocrites and parasites.” Another wrote, “Saving the planet? They’re good at talking the talk…” A third sarcastically
added, “Yes, they really care about climate change.”
It’s the latest in a long line of controversy surrounding the couple, with the former Suits star’s estranged family behind much of it. There have also been reports of an ongoing feud with Kate Middleton and Prince William, as well as raised eyebrows over at the palace where the new Duchess’ maverick ways have upset royal traditions. “Meghan’s convinced that certain members of the royal family are actively working against her,” says the source. “It feels like she gets a much warmer reception abroad, especially in America, and Meghan’s told Harry she wants to start spending as much time away from the UK as possible.
“She and Harry are currently planning to attend the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi after their official tour to South Africa this autumn, and then Meghan wants them to travel to the US to spend time with her mother, Doria. She’s also talking about catching up with their pals Beyoncé and Jay-z while they are in LA, and she’s being courted by a number of renowned charity organisations to attend gala dinners abroad. Meghan’s keen to factor all of it into their itinerary in the hopes it will keep them away from England that much longer.”
But, whether they travel by Ryanair or private jet, palace insiders are not happy with the plan. We’re told, “Harry’s been warned about how it will look to the public if he and Meghan spend even more time abroad – especially after taxpayers funded renovations of their new home, Frogmore Cottage.
“Meghan’s getting increasingly fed up and is sick of the endless rules and protocol. She wants to do her duty, but it’s a tougher role than she imagined.” ■
‘Everyone is against Harry and Meghan – they’re sick of it’