Prince Harry is set to traverse Germany via helicopter during his visit for the Invictus Games, and this decision has raised eyebrows, especially considering his and Meghan Markle's stated goal of achieving Net Zero by 2030.
While in Germany, Harry will participate in a German adaptation of "Match of the Day" to promote the Invictus Games. He will be a guest on a late-night TV show typically dedicated to discussing the afternoon's football matches in the German Bundesliga. However, Harry will shift the conversation to the Invictus Games, which are being held in Dusseldorf. The prince will be joined by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius for a live chat on a sports studio show. Three competitors from the games will also join the discussion.
During this TV appearance, Harry will be interviewed by hosts Katrin Muller Hoyenstein and Sven Vos about the event he founded for wounded, injured, and disabled veterans. Harry is expected to fly by helicopter to the ZDF studios in Mainz after the games' opening ceremony. The transportation will be provided by the German military, who are hosting the week-long event involving teams from 21 different countries. As a result, the expenses for Prince Harry's helicopter travel around the country will be covered by German taxpayers.
This decision has sparked criticism from some quarters, with Germans expressing frustration over the environmental impact and the costs associated with flying a helicopter for a high-profile individual. Some have even suggested that Harry might need an interpreter for the TV interview, given his likely limited proficiency in the German language.
In 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pledged to become Net Zero by 2030 during the COP26 summit in Glasgow. However, this move to fly around in a helicopter to raise funds may raise questions about their commitment to achieving this goal. Critics argue that paying a carbon tax to offset emissions doesn't align with the necessary actions to address the climate crisis.
Prince Harry is scheduled to arrive in Germany on Saturday morning and attend an event at Dusseldorf Town Hall, where he will sign the golden book reserved for VIP guests. During their previous visit to the city, Harry and Meghan were enthusiastically received by fans who took selfies with the couple.
It appears that this helicopter travel decision has not been well-received by some segments of the German public, who may express their disapproval when Prince Harry arrives in the country.
