Meghan Markle has decided to postpone the launch of her new lifestyle and cooking show on Netflix due to the ongoing wildfires in LA.
The program With Love, Meghan was supposed to be released on January 15, but 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.”
With Love, Meghan will reportedly pay tribute to the California-based royal family’s home state and her personal ties to it.
Last week, Meghan and Prince Harry took part in volunteer work in the wake of the deadly fires.
On January 10, the Sussexes visited an evacuation site in Pasadena, California, where charity World Central Kitchen was distributing food and supplies to victims of the Eaton fire.
According to People magazine, Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, have also donated money to the relief effort through their charity, the Archewell Foundation.
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo claimed the royal couple, who volunteered anonymously, “really lifted the spirits of first responders” during their visit.
Meghan Markle has postponed the release of her new Netflix show to March 4 due to the LA wildfires
The Duchess, 43, calls the series ‘amazing in every moment’ as she shares her tips and tricks on living well
Meghan Markle was spotted comforting victims and first responders at an evacuation center on Friday amid the ongoing LA fires
“They’re great people, great personalities and a big heart for them to come here and meet the first responders, meet the people who have been affected,” the politician told Fox News.
He added that the couple visited some burned homes in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke with those who had lost their homes.
‘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,” the mayor said.
It comes after PR experts questioned the timing of the release of Meghan’s Netflix cooking show, saying it had to 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. ‘
Flames engulf a building as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena on January 7
Sixteen people have been killed in the fires so far, with US President Joe Biden making a chilling prediction that the death toll will rise further in the infernos which he has likened to a “war zone”.
Meghan and Harry also 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.
They have now urged other Los Angeles residents to open their homes to victims in a statement on their website, Sussex.com, as the wildfires continued to level celebrity homes and leave nothing but ash and rubble left behind.
The couple wrote: “If a friend, loved one or pet needs to evacuate and you can provide him or her with a safe haven in your home, please do so.
“And be sure to contact any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating.”
“Please consider donating clothing, children’s toys and clothing, and other essential items,” they said, noting that the American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need.
Since the fire broke out in Pacific Palisades, new fires have broken out further east in Altadena, forcing major evacuations in nearby Pasadena Tuesday evening.
Fires broke out again in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, threatening densely populated parts of Hollywood.
Stars like Paris Hilton, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester’s homes were destroyed, along with Anna Faris’ mansion.
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
Meghan and Harry pictured with other volunteers after helping LA bushfire victims
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stood next to the wife of California’s embattled governor as they served meals to survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires
John Goodman and Anthony Hopkins were left with nothing but rubble after their homes burned down, and Billy Crystal and Eugene Levy also lost their homes.
Actor James Woods shared a video of the approaching flames shortly before he evacuated, prior to the destruction of his home.
The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag saw their home destroyed by the bushfire, and Spencer looked somber at the encroaching flames before his family was forced to flee.
The Eaton Fire, which broke out just north of Pasedena, was one of the most devastating, killing six people and burning more than 7,000 structures.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.