ROYAL ROVERS
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry used fleet of Range Rovers shipped out from UK on royal Africa tour
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have been using a fleet of Range Rovers specially shipped out from the UK to use during their royal tour of South Africa.
The high-end 4x4s have been drafted in because organisers were unable to find local cars offering adequate security for Harry, Meghan and baby Archie, says a report.
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Meghan was pictured arriving in a British-registered blue Range Rover during her visit to the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were chauffeured in the same vehicle during a visit to Cape Town earlier, where they were accompanied by security, driving in five Land Rover Discoverys.
News agency the Press Association reports that the cars provided for the 10-day trip were offered by Jaguar Land Rover and were transported at no cost to the taxpayer.
The manufacturer has provided vehicles for the royal family for decades, including on foreign visits.
The says that the shipment included five Land Rover Discoverys as police back-up vehicles, along with the couple's Range Rover, which they use at home.
'NO COST TO TAXPAYER'
A royal source told the paper: "Jaguar Land Rover has a long relationship with the royal family and has loaned cars for royal visits for many decades, all over the world.
"On this visit, it was not possible to obtain enough cars, or cars with extra security features, locally, although this was attempted.
"Jaguar Land Rover kindly offered to bring cars from the UK to support the visit, at no cost to the taxpayer."
The Times points out that shipping the fleet all the way to South Africa has sparked further questions about the environmental impact of the royal couple's tour.
Harry and Meghan are renowned for pushing their green credentials, but the cars have been shipped about 10,000 miles for their 10-day visit.
The revelation comes after there was a furore over the couple's recent use of private jets.
Harry and Meghan faced criticism in August after reportedly taking four private jet journeys in 11 days, rather than opting for commercial flights, despite speaking out on environmental issues.
The Duke has previously said that he would have a maximum of two children due to his concerns about climate change.
PRIVATE FLIGHTS
Speaking for a special edition of British Vogue in August, Harry said: "What we need to remind everybody is: These are things that are happening now. We are already living in it.
"We are the frog in the water and it's already been brought to the boil. Which is terrifying."
In September, Harry defended the couple's "occasional" private flights and said they were necessary to keep his family safe.
He said during a visit to Amsterdam: "If I have to do that, it is not a decision that I want to take, but if I have to do that, then I will ensure, as I have done previously, and as I will continue to make sure that I do, that I balance out that impact that I have."
He added: "I have always offset my CO2. I think part of the group discussion that we had earlier is 'what is offsetting CO2'."
ARCHIE'S SCHEDULE
The Duchess of Sussex has revealed the schedule for her first trip to South Africa was based around a special person in her life – baby son Archie's feeding times.
In an interview given on the penultimate day of Meghan and Harry's visit to southern Africa, the duchess also said she missed her husband "so much" while he was away on a solo tour of the region.
She described being in South Africa for the first time as a "really powerful" experience.
And speaking about her formal role with the Commonwealth "family", she said the platform that came with the position was something she took "incredibly seriously".
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Quizzed about how the trip has been as a family, Meghan replied: "On my goodness, well, we're doing well.
"I think the schedule – they have been very kind to me, because everything is based around Archie's feed times.
"So it's a full plate, but we're making it work. It's worth it."
The couple have spent the past nine days visiting southern Africa and raising issues they are passionate about including wildlife conservation and female empowerment.
Last night Harry revealed his wife Meghan has launched legal action against the Mail on Sunday.
In a lengthy statement published on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's website, Harry alleged the paper had "unlawfully" published a letter from her to her father Thomas Markle.
Meghan Markle insists the letter - which detailed her pain at their estrangement since the Royal Wedding - was private.
In a statement revealing the legal action, Prince Harry claimed the couple were suffering from the "painful" impact of "relentless propaganda" against Meghan.
But royal commentators questioned his comments. Prince Charles’ biographer Penny Junor said: “This is the most extraordinary statement and goes way beyond anything I have ever seen issued by a member of the royal family.
“I completely understand that Harry should feel protective about his wife and there have undoubtedly been some negative stories in the last nine months that must have hurt - but not exclusively in the Mail on Sunday - and they have not all been lies, nor I would suggest, part of a ruthless campaign. "
And GMB host Piers Morgan criticised Harry for comparing Meghan to Diana, saying: "I think comparing Meghan to Diana is a mistake. "Harry talks about Diana and, of course everyone knows the history there and of course everybody felt for him, but he's not the only person who's lost a parent.
"If he's going to be this viscous about the press collectively he's got to be entitled to be scrutinised for what he's actually saying."
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