Empty plane ‘was flown 123 miles’ so Prince William, Kate Middleton and their kids could travel economy

It has been revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s recent holiday to Scotland may not have been as environmentally friendly as many were made to believe.

Prince William, Kate Middleton and their kids were pictured disembarking from a budget Flybe flight when travelling to Balmoral to see the Queen and Prince Philip. This earned them praise for taking the more environmentally friendly option and it came at a time when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were being criticized for taking 4 private jet trips in 11 days.

Their trip in a commercial flight was compared to Meghan and Harry’s four gas-guzzling private jets. While the Cambridges were praised, the Sussexes – who are environmental activists – were criticized for not practising what they preach.

But it has now emerged that Flybe bosses ordered an empty plane to be flown 123 miles to pick up Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children.

MailOnline reported that the flight William and Kate took from Norwich to Aberdeen at 8.40am is usually operated by Loganair on behalf of Eastern Airways – Flybe’s franchise. It is alleged that Flybe bosses were keen that they use a plane with their branding on it, and decided to fly an Embraer 145 from Eastern’s Humberside HQ to collect the royals.

That meant that the Loganair craft which had flown passengers from Aberdeen to Norwich, left empty. In total, the two empty flights resulted in 4.5 tons of carbon emissions, thereby defeating the aim of foregoing private jets for commercial flights.

Prince William and Kate are said to be totally unaware of the alleged switch and had not asked for any special treatment.

The source told MailOnline: “It’s utterly extraordinary and makes a mockery of their family’s very laudable attempts to travel more economically and in a more environmentally friendly manner.

“An additional 4.5 tons of carbon emissions were created simply to ensure that an aircraft with Flybe written on the side operated the flight with the Royal party aboard, instead of the usual aircraft which flies the route. It’s obviously not their fault but is utterly ridiculous.”

However a Flybe spokesperson refuted the allegations, saying: “Flybe denies any involvement in the decision over which aircraft to fly on this route, which is fully operated by Eastern Airways.”

Eastern Air said reports about the series of flights were “immaterial” if all the passengers had a nice flight.