The comments came after Prince Harry announced his engagement earlier this week to Meghan Markle, apparently leaving the 25-year-old Sébastien as one of the few eligible princes in Europe.
On its website this week, British Airways wrote:
“That’s it girls--he’s taken… Now go find another kingdom with a prince still single. The world is your oyster.”
The carrier then featured its flights to Luxembourg, as well as Dubai, home to the 35-year-old unmarried Sheik Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and to Bangkok (Thailand’s king is unmarried).
A screenshot of British Airways’ website on 28 November 2017. Image: @nicolevIFG
To promote its cheap flights from the UK to Europe, Easyjet tweeted on 28 November:
“No princes left here. Find your Prince Charming somewhere else.”
Easyjet then listed “Sébastien of Luxembourg”, “Philippos of Denmark & Greece” and “Joachim of Belgium”.
On social media, some thought the promotions were sexist. London-based Nicole Valentinuzzi tweeted on Tuesday:
“hello British Airways this is not the way to inspire women to travel in 2017 thanks”.
Scott Burdon posted on The Telegraph’s Facebook page:
“Should have said or princess.”
A screenshot of Easyjet’s tweet on 28 November 2017. Image: @easyJet
Not all were offended. Bethanie Marie, also writing on The Telegraph’s Facebook page, commented:
“No one allowed to have a sense of humor anymore?”
@sarahleverage_s tweeted back to Easyjet:
“Let’s do it princess”.
BA told the Evening Standard in a statement:
“Like many great British companies, we want to celebrate the engagement of the happy couple this week.”
“Our advert is gender and orientation neutral and is designed to speak to all easyJet customers about our great value flights across Europe.”
Sébastien currently serves in the Luxembourg Army.