Meghan Markle has been caught on camera lending a hand at another relief effort for the victims of the Los Angeles fires. The Duchess of Sussex was spotted carrying bags brimming with donations in an Instagram reel shared by a recovery fund based in Altadena, one of the areas hardest hit by the catastrophic fires.
Her contribution of items to the Altadena Teen Girls Fire Recovery Fund occurred shortly after she and Prince Harry were seen at a food distribution centre in Pasadena, which led to a fierce backlash, with actress Justine Bateman slamming them as “disaster tourists”.
In the newly released video by the Altadena Girls Fire Recovery Fund’s Instagram page, Meghan is dressed casually in black leggings, a black T-shirt, black trainers, and a baseball cap emblazoned with ‘LA’, as she is welcomed while delivering large bags to the fund.
Prince Harry and Meghan hug residents in Pasadena
(Image: BBC)
She is also captured sharing a hug with a volunteer in the Instagram reel, which includes additional footage of individuals contributing goods at the donation site. Reports suggest that her visit took place on Monday, and among the contributions were new clothing and beauty products.
It is understood that Meghan also stayed for lunch, engaged with families, and supported the young girls in their charity endeavour.
The Altadena Teen Girls Fire Recovery Fund, established last week by 14 year old Avery Colvert from Pasadena, has received a donation from Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation. The fund aims to collect clothes, beauty and haircare products for young teens affected by the fires, reports the Mirror.
A video of Meghan donating items was released on the same day her Netflix show ‘With Love, Meghan’ was originally scheduled to premiere. However, due to the ongoing southern California fires where most of the show is set, the release date has been postponed to March 4.
Meghan Markle spotted bringing donations to the Altadena Girls Fire Recovery Fund
(Image: altadenagirls/Instagram)
Earlier this week, an insider shared Harry and Meghan’s response to being labelled ‘disaster tourists’ after they were photographed embracing victims of the Los Angeles fires. The Sussexes were seen at the Pasadena Community Centre in Los Angeles on Friday, speaking with emergency crews and hugging victims and volunteers.
They also met Victor Gordo, the mayor of Pasadena, and spoke with World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder chef Jose Andres. Actress Justine Bateman criticised the couple for a “repulsive photo op” in a statement on X, stating: “They are “touring the damage”? Are they politicians now? They don’t live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists.”
“They are “touring the damage”? Are they politicians now? They don’t live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists.”
A source informed Page Six that Harry and Meghan found the actress’s remarks ‘offensive’, elaborating: “It’s offensive to Meghan and Harry that anybody would think this is merely a photo opportunity.”
Prince Harry, left, meets with mayor of Pasadena Victor Gordo, right, during the Eaton Fire in Altadena
(Image: Getty)
The couple, who reside in Montecito near Santa Barbara, about 90 miles from Los Angeles, were defended by the insider who stressed: “Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles, so this is, and always will be, home to her.”
Furthermore, they clarified that the Duchess is ‘not a tourist’ and that “her heart is completely broken for all the lives that have been lost and for those whose homes have been destroyed in these fires.”
Mayor Gordo also commended Harry and Meghan, noting their eagerness to help. He described them as “great people” with “great personalities” and recounted how their visit lifted the morale of first responders at the Rose Bowl command post.
It’s understood that the couple has contributed clothing, children’s items, and other essentials to those impacted by the fires and have opened their home to friends and loved ones needing to evacuate.