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No, William and Kate weren't 'making a point' about Harry and Meghan by flying on a budget airline

Photo credit: Pool/Samir Hussein - Getty Images
Photo credit: Pool/Samir Hussein - Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were photographed yesterday taking a flight to Scotland. The Cambridges are making the most of the last weeks of the summer holidays by enjoying some family time up in Balmoral with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

So far, so normal.

But because 'Family Goes On Holiday Via Aeroplane' isn't exactly a mind-blowingly interesting headline, some news outlets have decided to read into the details of the Cambridge's trip.

Prince William and Kate Middleton flew from Norwich International Airport, near their holiday home in Sandringham, to Aberdeen Airport in Scotland yesterday morning. They took a FlyBe flight, lasting about an hour and 10 minutes all in all.

Last week, a story about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle taking a private jet to stay with Elton John in the south of France blew up. Accusations of hypocrisy were made about the fact they didn't choose an eco-friendly mode of travel, considering the couple's vocal stance on protecting the environment.

And lo, the two stories combine.

Photo credit: RICK RYCROFT - Getty Images
Photo credit: RICK RYCROFT - Getty Images

"Wills gives Harry flying lesson," read one front page today, possibly suggesting that William and Kate purposely chose to travel on a regular flight in contrast to Harry and Meghan's preference for a private jet. But as one royal expert pointed out, this couldn't be further from the truth.

"Anyone who thinks William & Kate might have chosen to fly budget airline to make a point after Harry & Meghan’s private jets - doesn’t have a clue about royal travel plans," wrote ITV's Royal Editor, Chris Ship on Twitter.

"[Plans] are made months in advance. Especially when it’s about visiting The Queen at Balmoral," he continued.

As Ship points out, it couldn't be more unlikely that William and Kate saw all the criticism Harry and Meghan were getting for the private jets last week, and thought, I know, let's fly to Scotland on a budget airline to really show them up.

It's just... not going to happen. Royals are far too well media trained for that.

Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images
Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images

If anything, these latest photographs of Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children validate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to fly privately to their holidays this summer.

The Cambridges were photographed boarding the plane, and were snapped by fellow passengers. The Sussexes were travelling with their three-month-old baby Archie on his first flights, and so it's pretty understandable that they might not have wanted all that being played out in view of anyone and everyone.

So, shall we go back to talking about the weather? Which, as it goes, is going to be very nice this bank holiday weekend.

Follow Cat on Twitter.


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