Ellen DeGeneres defends Meghan Markle, Prince Harry amid private-plane criticism

Ellen DeGeneres defended “compassionate” Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on Monday amid criticism over the couple’s recent use of a private plane.

Taking to Twitter, the 61-year-old talk show host addressed her relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, whose commitment to environmental welfare has been scrutinized since they traveled to Nice, France, by private aircraft earlier this month.

“Portia [de Rossi] and I met Prince Harry and Meghan in England to talk about their work on wildlife conservation. They were the most down-to-earth, compassionate people,” DeGeneres tweeted.

“Imagine being attacked for everything you do, when all you’re trying to do is make the world better,” she continued.

DeGeneres’ remarks followed Elton John‘s impassioned message from earlier in the day, when the longtime friend of the royal family revealed he had provided the accommodations and transportation for Meghan, 38, and Harry, 34, and made sure the flight was environmentally sound.

“To support Prince Harry’s commitment to the environment, we ensured their flight was carbon neutral by making the appropriate contribution to Carbon Footprint™,” the 72-year-old singer tweeted.

John also demanded the media end its “relentless” character assassinations against the couple.

“I highly respect and applaud both Harry and Meghan’s commitment to charity and I’m calling on the press to cease these relentless and untrue assassinations on their character that are spuriously crafted on an almost daily basis,” he posted.

Meghan and Harry reportedly traveled by private jet to Ibiza earlier this month, when they celebrated the Duchess’ 38th birthday with their 3-month-old son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.