Prince Harry flying commercially seems to have "stunned" fellow passengers, according to news reports, as he boarded a regular flight back to London from Japan.
Harry doesn't think people should be "stunned" of course as he claims to fly commercial 99 per cent of the time.
I think that's a recent thing - I'm pretty sure that's now that he's been called a hypocrite for travelling in four private jets in 11 days, whilst also campaigning about climate change.
That's the problem with making big moral stands: you actually have to live by them.
So there he was, hopping onto Nippon Airways (albeit in Premium Economy) alarming passengers with his regal presence. One passenger who uploaded a photo to social media said they "nearly fell off their seat" when they saw him.
I felt the same way when Prince Charles hopped on our flight. We boarded Singapore Airlines home from London once and were told at check-in that they'd had to move our seats back a row because a VIP was coming. Being a nosey journalist I immediately asked "who?" - they replied that they "couldn't possibly say".
A few drab looking suited and booted aides hopped on first, and then there he was: Prince Charles. I went to grab my phone to of course take a picture at which point my husband overruled and suggested that was not cool and not to do it.
I regret listening to him. Thankfully I didn't listen to him when not long after Prince Charles hopped on, so did David Beckham. I could not get to Beckham fast enough for a selfie (FYI he's as lovely in person as he looks).
To me he's the real VIP... but back to Charles.
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Prince Harry was snapped on the Nippon Airways flight.
It did seem weird having royalty flying with us plebs. Like it or not they are different.
They are born to a life of privilege and that's all they know. He was rallied around and catered to like he was a toddler.
Oatcakes with cheese and cups of tea, all in his own special china, brought to him on a tray, made by bristling aides who stiffly shoved anyone in the way to one side, including flight crew.
I was told to "step back" from the toilet when I was waiting outside the door - unbeknownst the future King was inside having a wee.
I didn't realise it was him until his royal highness exited the cubicle and wafted past my riff-raff self to get back to his seat. He looked tired and 'unamused' by the experience.
I wouldn't have begrudged him the private jet to be honest. But although royals are different, I do believe Prince Charles has earned his rep.
A lifetime of consistency in message, the future King, he comes with gravitas. Whereas Harry I think has peaked too soon: too many lectures, too many moral judgments, and he's not a future anything.
So should we be surprised when Prince Harry flies commercially? I don't think so.
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