Family Ties star Justine Bateman labels Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘disaster tourists’ and says their appearance at a food bank to meet with LA fire victims was a ‘photo op’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been branded ‘disaster tourists’ by Justine Bateman after appearing as volunteers during the LA bushfires.
The Hollywood actress, 58, took to X/Twitter to blast the couple after they were seen in footage dressed in civilian clothes and talking to victims and other helpers.
The former working royals were spotted in a clip at an evacuation center – just hours before it was confirmed the death toll from the fires had risen to 24.
Bateman wrote online: ‘Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers.
‘What a disgusting ‘photo-op’ they created. They are “exploring the damage”? Are they politicians now?
“They don’t live here; they are tourists. Disaster tourists.’
Video captured by Fox 11 Los Angeles showed Harry and Meghan in Pasadena on Friday, mingling with volunteers and the city’s mayor, Victor Gordo.
But the couple was eager to provide whatever support they could, according to the mayor, who said they were “great people” with “great personalities.”
“They really lifted the spirits of the first responders. We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl and the people were very happy to see them,” Gordo added.
Justine Bateman, 58, took to X/Twitter to shoot the couple seen in the footage dressed in civilian clothes and talking to other aides. Bateman wrote: ‘Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers’
Meghan Markle was spotted comforting victims and first responders at an evacuation center on Friday, amid the ongoing fires in LA
Meghan Markle speaks with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, center, and Doug Goodwin, whose home was destroyed by the Eaton fire in Altadena
Flames near the Mandeville Canyon on January 11
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had distributed food parcels to those affected by the devastating fires at the Pasadena Convention Center which is used as an evacuation center.
The couple were also seen hugging José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen, which is distributing free hot meals to the public and emergency services in the aftermath of the bushfires.
The interaction was broadcast live on FOX LA, with news anchor Susan Hirasuna later criticized online for describing Meghan as “Princess Markle.”
She was also criticized for saying Meghan was “hanging out with the common people.”
It comes after the couple opened the doors of their $29 million mansion in Montecito, about 90 miles from LA, to their friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate due to the ongoing wildfires.
Speaking to FOX LA, Mayor Gordo said: ‘They (Harry and Meghan) want to be as helpful as possible and really they just want to be supportive.’
He added that the couple visited some burned homes in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke with those who had lost their homes.
Meghan Markle, who was described by a FOX LA host as Princess Markle, was seen comforting wildfire victims at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday
Meghan and Harry pictured with other volunteers after helping LA bushfire victims
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have distributed food parcels to those affected by the devastating fires at the Pasadena Convention Center, which is being used as an evacuation center.
‘They took the time to meet and spend time with the people affected. They are just very caring people who are very concerned about their friends and neighbors,” Gordo said.
The fires that have ravaged the city have killed 24 people and destroyed nearly 14,000 hectares.
The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner released a list of fatalities without providing details on their identities. Eight of the dead were found in the Palisades Fire zone and 16 in the Eaton Fire zone, the document said.
About 4,000 to 5,000 structures have also been damaged or destroyed, including the homes of Hollywood stars.
US President Joe Biden has chillingly predicted the death toll is likely to rise after describing the terrifying situation as “like a scene of war”.
Bateman’s public blast comes after Meghan revealed yesterday that she was pushing back the release date of her new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, due to the ongoing wildfire crisis in LA.
The program was supposed to be released on January 15, but this has now been moved to March 4.
A statement from the Duchess of Sussex on Sunday, three days before the series was due to debut, said: ‘I am grateful to my partners at Netflix for their support in delaying the launch while we focus on the needs of those affected. because of the wildfires in my home state of California.”
Flames engulf a structure as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena on January 7
Meghan comforts José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen, as they appeared at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle speak with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo
Meghan Markle has postponed the release of her new Netflix show to March 4 due to the LA wildfires
With Love, Meghan will reportedly pay tribute to the California-based royal family’s home state and her personal ties to it.
PR experts have recently questioned the timing of the release of Meghan’s Netflix cooking show, saying it should be postponed due to the bushfires.
They suggested that airing it now could come across as ‘insensitive’ and ‘tone deaf’ and cause a strong backlash against the royal couple.
British brand and culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline: ‘I think Netflix bosses will have to make some big decisions about whether With Love, Meghan will air next week.
“Because the show is so centered on life in California, Los Angeles and Montecito, and provides a glimpse into an ambitious and inspiring life, I suspect it will be pulled from its current schedule and postponed for at least a few months. ‘
A description of the series on Tudum’s website read: ‘Produced by Meghan, With Love, Meghan combines practical how-tos and candid conversations with friends new and old.
“Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection, and highlighting how easy it can be to create beauty even in the unexpected.
‘She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, garden and beyond and invite you to do the same.’