Eco-warriors Prince Harry and Meghan Markle clock up over 80,000 air miles this year

Prince and have clocked up nearly 83,000 air miles this year alone.

The pair, who stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020, continue to champion various causes through their Archewell organisation, travelling globally to promote these issues.

The couple's - either solo or together - for work purposes this year has been calculated by reporters . In total, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have flown 82,908 miles for work-related events, excluding internal flights during their visits to Nigeria and , as well as personal holidays.

This is equivalent to more than three times the Earth's circumference, which is 24,901 miles. The massive amount of air travel equates to 33,357kg of carbon dioxide emissions, requiring 972 trees to offset the flight carbon, according to Saving Nature.

The website clarifies that flight carbon dioxide emissions are based on 90kg of CO2 per passenger each hour, an 80% flight occupancy rate, and a radiative forcing factor of two. The 82,908 miles represent the combined travel of Harry and Meghan from January 2024 to October 2024, not including the Duke's return flight from South Africa to Los Angeles as he hasn't flown home yet.

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When comparing individual totals, it's the Duke who has accumulated the most air miles with 45,852 miles due to his numerous solo trips this year, reports .

has jetted back to the UK four times this year, and has also embarked on trips to New York, Lesotho and Johannesburg in recent weeks. He's also been busy with work-related travels within the USA, hitting Las Vegas, Texas and San Francisco for various summits and award ceremonies.

On the other hand, Meghan has not undertaken any solo trips this year. The remaining air miles - 37,056 - were accumulated when the couple travelled together.

In January, , followed by a trip to Vancouver for the Invictus Games countdown a month later.

Their joint travel itinerary also included a visit to Vegas where Meghan was a keynote speaker at this year's South by Southwest, as well as trips to Nigeria and Colombia.

Most of the Duke's travels this year are believed to have been commercial trips. Harry, who has been vocal about environmental issues for years, launched Travalyst in 2019, a "bold global initiative to change the impact of travel, for good."

This has led to criticism over his use of private jets. However, he has defended his use of them in the past, stating that he uses them sparingly, for safety reasons, and takes measures to offset his carbon footprint.

Carbon offset programmes allow travellers to compensate for their carbon dioxide emissions by paying a fee that goes towards reducing CO2 by a similar amount, typically through tree planting.

In 2019, Harry opened up about his travel choices, explaining that while he usually flies commercially, there are "unique circumstances" that necessitate .

He remarked: "Occasionally, there needs to be an opportunity [to fly on private planes] based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe it's as simple as that. For me, it's about balance. It's not a decision I would want to take, but if I have to do that, I will ensure that I balance out the impact that I have," he further commented.

The often relies on air travel for their official duties, which the Palace defends as necessary for the sake of reduced travel time, flexibility, and reaching remote locations more easily. According to the 2023-2024 Sovereign Grant Report released in July, the royals undertook 170 helicopter trips and chartered 44 flights.

However, the Palace is making efforts to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, including plans to convert two State Bentleys to run on biofuel and the acquisition of two new helicopters designed to operate using sustainable fuel. The has contacted representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's detailed travel log January

Harry and Meghan: Round trip from LA to Kingston, Jamaica for the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love = 5,582 miles.

Total = 5,582.

February

Total = 13,546.

March

Harry and Meghan: LA to Texas to celebrate International Women's Day at South By Southwest = 2,470 miles (return trip).

Harry: LA to San Francisco for the BetterUP Uplift Summit = 674 miles (return trip).

Total = 3,144 miles.

April

Total = 4,436 miles.

May

Harry: LA to Heathrow for the Invictus Games thanksgiving service at St Paul's and an event with Scotty's Little Soldiers = 10,912 miles (return trip).

Harry and Meghan: LA to Nigeria to support the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games and to promote mental health for young people = 15,450 miles (return trip).

Total = 26,362 miles.

August

Harry and Meghan: LA to Colombia to highlight internet safety and showcase the country's cultural heritage = 6,956 miles.

Harry: LA to Heathrow for the funeral of his uncle Lorde Fellowes = 10,912 miles (return trip).

Total = 17,868 miles.

September

Harry LA to New York for Climate Week and to promote his philanthropic causes = 2469 miles (single trip).

Harry: New York to Heathrow to attend the WellChild Awards in London = 3451 miles (single trip).

Total = 5,920 miles.

October

Total = 6,050 miles