Harry & Meghan’s UK Return: Insights into Five-Bedroom Luxury and Travel Expenses

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have returned to the United Kingdom, turning heads with their grand arrival. Reports suggest the couple splurged nearly $120,000 on their transatlantic journey. After all, a deluxe private jet furnished with five beds doesn’t come at a bargain price.

News of how much Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ride cost first broke on August 26, when Page Six claimed to have details of the chartered plane’s amenities. Per the outlet, the aircraft — a Bombardier Global Express XRS — was chartered through Planet 9, and came with five beds, seating for 13 people, and two bathrooms. Obviously, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill plane bathroom either, and as seen in pics of the aircraft on the Planet 9 website, they featured luxurious wood paneling and leather accents. As for the cost, Page Six reported that the couple was looking at an estimated $12,000 per hour; with the flight being 10 hours long, that’s some easy (and steep) math. 

However, it wasn’t just Harry, Meghan, and their two children making the voyage—fur babies Pula, their black Labrador, and Mamma Mia, a beagle, were also part of the flight crew. An insider confided to Page Six that the decision to charter a private plane was largely motivated by the desire to bring their dogs along. Commercial flights often present challenges for pet owners, especially those with larger dogs who are relegated to cargo areas, posing increased risks in warmer climates.

Returning to the U.K. is shaping up to be an expensive venture for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in various ways. The couple faced a setback when their application for publicly funded security was turned down, as they no longer perform duties as working royals. According to a Mirror report, a security team funded privately was on hand to meet them upon their arrival.

Costs aside, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s private jet to the U.K. has been met with some criticism because of the environmental impact. As one Page Six reader pointed out, “Their carbon footprint is massive. They fly everywhere on private jets.” This isn’t the first time the couple’s choice of transportation raised eyebrows. Back in 2019, while he was making a speech on the importance of ecotourism, the prince was questioned about flying private. That said, he shut down the criticism, explaining, “I spend 99% of my life traveling the world by commercial. Occasionally, there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe, and it’s generally as simple as that” (via Time). He also added that when he does fly private, he tries to offset the impact. 

Given the media buzz surrounding their return, it’s plausible that these unique conditions factored into their decision to opt for a private jet. Although Meghan and Harry have occasionally flown commercial, the long journey with their young children in tow warranted a more secluded travel arrangement this time around.