Harry and Meghan's 'worse' image over climate than William and Kate explained

28 October 2023 , 10:00

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Harry and Meghan's 'worse' image over climate than William and Kate explained

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be "more vulnerable" to criticism over their approach to climate change than Prince William and Kate Middleton, it's been suggested.

It comes after Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, were met with claims of "hypocrisy" over reportedly using a private plane recently, after expressing concern about climate change in the past. Their Archewell Foundation has pledged to be net zero by 2030 and it's been said that they both have a "long-standing commitment to the planet".

There's a history of them being branded hypocrites over their use of private jets though. Prince Harry however once shared that he primarily flies commercials but said there should be opportunity to ensure his family's safety at times. The couple have reportedly been spotted on commercial flights in the past.

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Meghan Markle (left) and Prince Harry (right) have promoted efforts to address climate change in the past (Getty Images)

Amid the renewed criticism of them, it was noted by some people that Prince William, 41, and Kate, 41, have themselves been known to use private aircraft, typically helicopters, at the expense of taxpayers, on occasion. Their family has however also been spotted on commercial flights too.

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Prince William - who reportedly will "never" tell people "not to get on planes and not to get in their cars" - has, like his brother, expressed concern over the environment in recent years. He notably launched the Earthshot Prize, which rewards contributions to environmentalism, in 2021.

And although Prince Harry and Prince William have both been known to travel on private aircraft with their families, the former and his wife Meghan seem to have received more criticism over it. In light of this, the Mirror spoke to publicist and celebrity manager Mayah Riaz to discuss it.

Asked why Prince Harry and Meghan seem to have a more negative perception among the public over the issue, she told us recently: "There are be several reasons why Prince Harry and Meghan seem to have a worse public perception around climate change compared to William and Kate."

Mayah suggested that there is a bias towards them. She said: "Firstly, there has been clear media bias between how stories are reported on the two couple - as couples and individually too. This media bias shapes public perception."

Prince William (right) and Kate Middleton (left) have themselves expressed concern over the environment (Getty Images)

Further sharing her thoughts, she added: "We've seen media outlets have had different agendas and focused more on negative stories about Harry and Meghan, while downplaying or ignoring similar actions by William and Kate. This absolutely creates an imbalance in public perception."

"Also, Prince Harry and Meghan have been more outspoken and publicly passionate about environmental issues, which may make them more vulnerable to criticism if their actions don't align perfectly with their words," Mayah continued.

Discussing his brother and sister-in-law instead, the publicist commented: "On the other hand, Prince William and Kate may be seen as more reserved and less vocal on the subject, potentially shielding them from similar scrutiny."

When asked what Prince Harry and Meghan can do to get a better response from the public, she told us this week: "I don't think [they] need to do more to get better PR. Their safety comes before any PR endeavours. As we've seen that the media will report how they want to about the couple."

Mayah said the couple have spoken about taking private jets due to "security risks," adding that although Prince William is the next in line to the throne, there's an "increased amount of hate and threats" directed towards his brother Prince Harry and Meghan on social media platforms.

Both couples have attracted attention over their apparent efforts over the cause (AFP via Getty Images)

She said: "These are real and serious threats and be treated as such. Meghan and Harry need to prioritise their safety. If on such occasions, taking a private jet is right for them then I don't think it's for anyone else to weigh in on this."

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Sharing some advice, she said: "Harry's argument about the need to keep his family safe should be communicated clearly. They can emphasise that their choice of private jets is primarily driven by security considerations and provide examples of instances where they have prioritised safety over convenience."

The Mirror also asked if claims of hypocrisy present a risk to their ambitions, or there credibility as activists and potential politicians in the future. Mayah responded: "Yes, claims of hypocrisy do pose a risk to [their] wider ambitions and career trajectories. However, it is important to note that these claims may not necessarily reduce their credibility as potential political candidates and activists."

She said: "This is because the impact of claims of hypocrisy on their credibility depends on the public's perception and how they respond to it. Some may view these claims as valid and question their authenticity, while others may be more forgiving and understanding of the challenges they face in navigating their roles and responsibilities."

Mayah concluded by saying that whilst such a backlash "may create skepticism," the focus "should be on the impact they can make" through their actions and initiatives. She added that "tangible results" could "outweight" any concerns.

She said: "If Meghan and Harry can show tangible results in their advocacy work, such as successfully driving positive change or raising awareness on important issues, it can outweigh concerns about perceived inconsistencies."

Joel Leaver