HEIR HE IS
Prince Harry wears military medals and a poppy for charity speech after being branded ‘hypocrite’ over private jet use
Harry joked about ginger people being an 'endangered species'
PRINCE Harry has worn his military medals and a poppy for a charity speech after being branded a "hypocrite" over his private jet use.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, wore three medals which the Queen gave him along with a Royal British Legion poppy during a video filmed at his £12million home in Montecito, California.
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Harry recorded the speech for a Stand Up for Heroes comedy event raising funds for US veterans.
The video was played at the event moments before his dad King Charles gave his historic first King's Speech at Parliament this lunchtime.
The release of the video also coincided with Prince William's arrival in Singapore for the Earthshot Prize this morning.
During the gag-filled video, Harry joked about ginger people like him being an "endangered species".
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The event was hosted at the Lincoln Center in New York by comedian Jimmy Carr - with Bruce Springsteen also making an appearance.
Harry was in the Big Apple with his wife Meghan a few weeks ago but chose to appear at the event virtually.
Afghanistan veteran Harry was banned from wearing his ceremonial military uniform because he is no longer a working royal.
Prince William and other royals wore morning suits instead at Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021 to spare Harry's blushes.
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But he was permitted - against protocol - to don his Blues and Royals No 1 Uniform and medals for a vigil at the late Queen Elizabeth II's vigil at Westminster Hall, last September.
He was stripped of his military titles including Captain General of the Royal Marines when he and Meghan stepped down.
The royal move is believed to have angered the prince who created the Invictus Games for wounded ex-servicemen.
It comes after Harry and Meghan were branded "eco-hypocrites" after travelling to a Katy Perry gig on a Texan oil heir’s private plane.
The couple flew from California to Las Vegas and back on a Gulfstream jet with pals Cameron Diaz, her rocker hubby Benji Madden and actress Zoe Saldana.
Royal expert Angela Levin told The Sun: “He set up this Travalyst charity which was all about not using private planes. He’s still their patron. I think he should get the sack.”
Hours later, Harry’s brother William flew to Singapore on a commercial BA flight.
Ms Levin said of the Sussexes: “They think they have gotten so grand, they wouldn’t dream of taking a normal flight.
“They’ve got all these rich friends to pay for it. It’s worse than ‘do as I say, not as I do’ because he’s a patron of a charity.
“William was welcomed hugely in Singapore, which must have annoyed Harry and Meghan. This sort of behaviour is exactly why we call them eco-hypocrites.”
Harry helped launch Travalyst in 2019, a “bold global initiative with the ambition to change the impact of travel, for good”.
Last year he warned the UN that climate change was “wreaking havoc on our planet” and “our world is on fire”.
The 2009 Gulfstream jet he took to Las Vegas is co-owned by oil heir Michael Herd, whose Texan tycoon grandad Bob died in 2019.
It emits around two tons of CO2 an hour — compared to an average Brit producing 8.2 tons per year.
Herd and billionaire wife Whitney Wolfe, chief exec and founder of dating app Bumble, have recently grown close to the Sussexes in their California hometown of Montecito.
The Texan was seen near Meghan and a bored-looking Harry at the final show of Katy Perry’s Vegas residency, where they also rubbed shoulders with ballad queen Celine Dion.
The group landed back in Santa Barbara on Herd’s jet at around 1am on Sunday.
A witness said: “Whitney made a beeline for Meghan when they were all getting off. Meghan was walking to the car but Whitney ran up to her for a chat. It was like she was determined to show Meghan she is a ‘bestie’.”
Herd confirmed the trip with the royals, saying: “We just went to dinner and to see Katy’s last show. They’re nice people.” Asked about criticism of Harry and Meghan taking a private jet, he said: “I don’t have any comment, I’m not them.”
The Sun also contacted reps for Harry, Meghan and Bumble.
Harry has previously defended his use of private jets.
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He stated in 2019: “I spend 99 per cent of my life travelling the world by commercial. Occasionally there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe.”
Harry’s gas-guzzling jaunt came as it was reported he will not be travelling to the UK for his father King Charles’ 75th birthday celebrations next Tuesday.
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