Kate Middleton Called Out for One Move After a Charity Visit — but Not Everyone Agrees
After a poignant day, Kate Middleton found herself on the receiving end of online criticism after using a helicopter for commute.
After a glamorous night out at the Digger world premiere, Kate Middleton visited The Forward Trust in Southend to mark Addiction Awareness Week on Thursday. She had engaged in important conversations and even took part in gardening sessions. However, she was later spotted climbing into the Royal Helicopter at the airport, leading many to criticise the move, especially as she is rumored to join Prince William for the Earthshot Prize ceremony later this year.
After an eventful and poignant day, the Princess of Wales arrived at London Southend Airport in a convoy and shortly took off from the runway in the maroon helicopter. She is one of the latest celebrities to be called out for their use of private jets as the environmental crisis deepens. The Earthshot Prize, William’s 10-year endeavor, will officially reach its midpoint this year, and with such a monumental event only a few months away, using helicopters for commutes that could be done with more environmentally friendly options may not sit well with social media users. Watch the full video here!
“Seems very unnecessary. Surely there is a less environmentally damaging way to travel that short distance," one X user wrote, while another added, "Good old carbon footprint". One social media user exclaimed, "But but Earthshot!!" while another commented, "Using a helicopter as a taxi is not saving the planet". However, some fans came to the princess's defence, with one pointing out, "The Royal helicopter uses green fuel unlike your average helicopter" and another mentioning, "Distance is longer in a car and causes more problems regarding traffic".
Middleton is not the first royal to be called out for using private air transport. Earlier this year, William was criticized after he had arrived at the Guildhall in an electric bus with Robert Irwin. Many social media users felt the practice was a gimmick and didn’t translate into daily use, as the royals frequently use private jets and large convoys, thereby contributing to environmental damage.
A few weeks ago, the Prince of Wales had penned a touching essay for The Independent about the need for “urgent optimism” when it comes to environmental efforts. The opinion piece also touched upon the positive impact of the Earthshot Prize over the years. As the days go by, cameras around the world will train their lenses on Mumbai to capture the upcoming prize ceremony. Nominations for the same have already been announced, and there is no doubt that it will be one of the biggest royal events of the year.
However, it is perhaps the exact friction between the royal causes and actual practices that leads to online criticism. The more focus on one’s climate efforts, the more intense the lens on one's day-to-day activities.
