PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle borrowed a taxpayer-funded German jet for their trip to Dusseldorf yesterday, it is understood.
The Sussexes are said to have made the 100-minute return journey in a £44million Luftwaffe plane, favoured by high-ranking politicians.
The gas-guzzling aircraft, named the Bombardier BD-700, emits an estimated nine tonnes of CO2 for an average 386-mile trip.
Flying commercial from Heathrow to Dusseldorf would produce just 0.07 in CO2 emissions.
The duke and duchess travelled from RAF Northolt to Germany's seventh-largest city at 11.34am yesterday and landed shortly after 1.20pm, according to tracker FlightAware.
They were whisked off in a black Porsche Cayenne before spending the day at the Invictus Games 2023 – One Year To Go launch event, in collaboration with the German armed forces – or Bundeswehr.
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Harry and Meg then left Dusseldorf at 8.51pm, landing back on British soil around an hour later, it is understood.
The German Air Force 19-seater plane is usually reserved for senior government officials and members of the military.
But it was lent to the US-based pair yesterday – and will be offered again this time next year when the Games officially kick off.
A source told MailOnline: "The Bundeswehr have a fleet of transport jets and this was most suitable for the short trip from England.
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"It has the smallest capacity for passengers.
"There isn’t a military base in Dusseldorf so the plane flew from Cologne and picked up the guests at RAF Northolt.
"It flew the party back to the same place and returned to Cologne.
"The Bundeswehr are proud to be associated with the games to help with wounded war veterans and the offer was made when we were awarded the games.
"The same offer will apply next year when the games start."
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In Dusseldorf, Meghan and Harry beamed as they took selfies with crowds of fans who gave them the royal treatment on the red carpet.
They will attend tomorrow night's WellChild Awards in London, where Harry will make an address.
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