Is Prince Charles a big, fat hypocrite? That's the question many are asking after the outspoken environmental advocate embarked on an 11-day cruise aboard a luxury yacht. The purpose of the trip is to "reinforce Britain's ties with the important Commonwealth countries" in the Caribbean.

Representatives of the royal claim he and his wife Camilla are actually being environmentally conscious and reducing their amount of carbon emissions by about 40 per cent (as compared to the last royal excursion in the area) by using the yacht and the Gatwick Express to shuttle the Duchess of Cornwall to the airport. However others have advised that the prince's trip will have a more negative environmental impact than hundreds of transatlantic flights. Not only will it be the prince and his wife traveling aboard the Leander, but also 14 members of their inner circle, a security team and a crew of 24. The yacht is expected to use approximately 75,000 litres of diesel and release about 200 tons of carbon dioxide, which experts say is the equivalent of flying between London and New York 260 times.

Charles' spokesperson refuted the idea that the trip would be worse for the environment than other travel options.

"The carbon emissions generated by this are considerably less than the other option, which is to charter a plane around the islands," the spokeswoman said. "We took all the factors into consideration when we planned the trip. It is also much cheaper and less cost to the taxpayer."

But Tony Cottee, of the radical direct action environmental pressure group Rising Tide, said it was "typical" of the Prince of Wales to flaunt his environmental credentials while continuing to damage the planet with his profligate lifestyle. "He seems to be redefining the dictionary definition of sustainability. It is typical of people in his position. They have no basis of understanding compared to someone who lives in a council flat and is trying to cut their emissions, for example, by buying more efficient white goods, which are still more expensive than inefficient ones. When you compare this to people who are struggling to make a difference, something like this will blow anything they can do right out of the water for the rest of their lives."

The critics use Charles' preference for luxury and helicopters as a mode of transportation as evidence that the prince is spouting ideals that contradict his lifestyle choices. Though the emissions are brought up, one should also take into account the jacuzzi and sauna, as well as air-conditioned cabins onboard the Leander. Even if there is a chance the ship generates less emissions than chartering a plane, surely a less extravagent boat option would send a more consistent message.

» The Independent