Pink and Ellen Degeneres join Elton John in defending Harry and Meghan's use of private jet

Celebrities have rushed to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s defence after the controversy over the couple travelling by private jet.

Harry, 34, and Meghan, 38, have reportedly taken four flights in 11 days. It’s been claimed that they flew to Ibiza to celebrate Meghan’s birthday earlier this month.

Two days after they returned, they jetted to Nice in the south of France on a 12-seater Cessna Citation Sovereign, to stay at Sir Elton John’s £15 million villa Castel Mont-Alban.

The decision has caused controversy as the couple have been vocal about environmental issues and climate change.

It’s been claimed that flying by private jet would have emitted seven times more carbon dioxide per passenger than a commercial flight.

American singer Pink, 39, is one of the latest stars to show support for the royal couple.

She tweeted: “I’m happy to see people coming to the defense [sic] 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.”

READ MORE: Elton John defends Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over private jet furore

American chat show host Ellen DeGeneres, 61, also leapt to the couple’s defence, explaining that she and wife Portia de Rossi, 46, had met with ‘down-to-earth’ Harry and Meghan while they were visiting the UK.

She tweeted: “Portia and I met Prince Harry and Meghan in England to talk about their work on wildlife conservation. They were the most down-to-earth, compassionate people. Imagine being attacked for everything you do, when all you’re trying to do is make the world better.”

After it was revealed that Harry and Meghan had stayed at Sir Elton John’s mansion, the 72-year-old British singer condemned the ‘malicious’ treatment of the Sussexes in an Instagram post.

He wrote: “I am deeply distressed by today’s distorted and malicious account in the press surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s private stay at my home in Nice last week.

“Prince Harry’s Mother, Diana Princess Of Wales was one of my dearest friends. 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.

“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. To support Prince Harry’s commitment to the environment, we ensured their flight was carbon neutral, by making the appropriate contribution to 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 an almost daily basis.”

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Prince Harry’s close friend Argentine polo player Nachos Figueras, 42, commented on Sir Elton’s post, saying: “i also have the privilege of spending time with this [sic] 2 great human beings. I say privilege not because of their status but because of the kind of people they are.

“They are the most humble and kind people that I know. And who they are should allow them to be even more inspiring to all of us. Instead the press focuses on attacking them and trying to find problems where there are not.

“I will defend them and what they do and who they are for as long as I live. They are a treasure in today’s society and we should be taking care of them and feeling inspired by them. I know I do. H & M, We have your back, please be patient and do not change a thing.”