Meghan Markle has been spotted at a new relief effort in Los Angeles, despite critics slamming her as a ‘disaster tourist’.
Over the past week, wildfires have raged through LA, causing horrific, massive destruction, with many, including stars like Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, losing their homes.
Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, were seen hugging victims at an evacuation center in Pasadena on Friday, but it appears the Duke and Duchess also worked with the Altadena Girls Fire Recovery Fund.
The couple donated through their Archewell Foundation to the charity, which was launched by 14-year-old Avery Colvert to help teenage girls in her community “regain their self-esteem and confidence” after the fires.
The organization focuses on collecting clothing and personal items, as well as beauty and hair care products.
In a new video posted to Instagram by Altadena girlsMarkle can be seen talking to a young girl in what appears to be a parking lot as she totes several bags, presumably full of donations, in her arms.
The mother of two looked cool casual in jeans, a black T-shirt and a navy blue baseball cap with the letters “LA” on it as she rubbed the girl’s arm.
The video featuring Markle was a compilation of short clips from their donation center, in which they invited students and teens displaced by the fires to shop and work with stylists for free.
Meghan Markle has been spotted attending a new relief effort in Los Angeles, despite critics slamming her for being a ‘disaster tourist’
The mother of two looked cool, casual in jeans, a black T-shirt and a navy blue baseball cap with the letters ‘LA’ on it as she rubbed the girl’s arm.
The video featuring Markle was a compilation of short clips from their donation center, in which they invited students and teens displaced by the fires to shop and work with stylists for free.
‘And thank you to everyone who attended on Monday, which was a special day! We love you!’ the organization wrote in the video’s caption.
That same day they also thanked The Archewell Foundation for their support in a separate message.
“We can now accept donations directly to our organization and ensure all these funds go RIGHT to the community where it’s needed!” they wrote.
In the comments section of the post, many royal fans praised Meghan and Harry for their work.
However, in the aftermath of the tragedies, they faced backlash from critics.
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, as they spent time with evacuees.
The interaction was broadcast live, 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.”
However, the mayor praised their efforts, calling them “very caring people.”
However, in the wake of the tragedies, Markle and Prince Harry faced backlash from critics
However, a source recently told Page Six that the couple feels “offended” by Bateman’s comments
Later, actress Justine Bateman took to X, formerly Twitter, to blast the couple and call them “disaster tourists.”
Family Ties star 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.’
A source said this recently Page six that the couple feels ‘offended’ by Bateman’s comments.
The source told the newspaper: ‘It is insulting to Meghan and Harry that anyone would think this is just a photo opportunity.
“Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles, so this is and will always be her home.”
They added that Markle is “not just a tourist,” and that her “heart is completely broken for all the lives lost and for those whose homes have been destroyed by these fires.”
Amid the wildfires, Markle’s new Netflix show has also been pushed back from its original premiere date of January 15 to March 4.