Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been criticized for visiting wildfire victims in Los Angeles, with some calling them 'disaster tourists'.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been criticized as 'disaster tourists' following their visit to victims of the LA wildfires. The couple was photographed at an evacuation center in California, offering comfort to those who had lost their homes. This occurred just hours before the death toll in the state rose to 24. Before their appearance, the couple issued a statement expressing support for those affected by the disaster.
However, actress Justine Bateman criticized the Duke and Duchess for what she called a 'repulsive photo op'.She wrote on X, 'Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers. What a repulsive 'photo op' they achieved. They are 'touring the damage'? Are they politicians now? They don't live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists.'Footage from Fox 11 Los Angeles showed Harry and Meghan in Pasadena on Friday, interacting with volunteers and the city's mayor, Victor Gordo. According to the mayor, the Duke and Duchess were eager to offer any help they could, describing them as 'great people' with 'great personalities'. He added: 'They really buoyed the spirits of the first responders. We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl and people were very happy to see them,' reports the Mirror.Meghan and Harry were on the ground at the Pasadena Convention Centre, now converted into an evacuation site, dishing out vital food parcels to fire-stricken locals. The pair were captured in a heartwarming embrace with José Andrés, mastermind behind World Central Kitchen, which has been serving up complimentary warm meals to residents and emergency crews affected by the blaze. These emotional moments unfolded on FOX LA screens, with anchor Susan Hirasuna catching flak on social media for referring to Meghan as 'Princess Markle' and claiming she mixed with 'the commoners'.In a generous move, the Sussexes opened their lavish $29million Montecito abode – just a stone's throw from LA – to friends and family displaced by the raging fires. Sharing insights with FOX, Mayor Gordo professed: 'They (Harry and Meghan) want to be as helpful as they can be and really they just want to be supportive.' He revealed the couple's venture amongst the wreckage in Pasadena and Altadena, engaging with individuals who had seen their homes crumble.A body language expert has given her insights to the Mirror on Meghan and Harry's recent appearance, describing them as resembling the 'US version of the Royal Family'. She commented: 'Meghan is doing some full body hugs here in a ritual of consoling and her facial expression mirrors the sadness the people she's meeting must be feeling. Coming on top of some more practical help from the couple there's a feeling they're appearing like the US version of our royals.'Amidst the threat of wildfires, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are ready to switch to 'crisis mode' if needed. Although their Montecito home is not immediately threatened, the rapid spread of the fires has prompted the community, including Meghan and Harry, to prepare for possible evacuation. The Sussexes have instructed their security to devise an emergency plan and pack essentials for their children, Archie and Lilibet. A local resident remarked: 'It's not chaos here yet but the fire is moving fast and we are not taking any chances.' Residents have been equipped with public safety survival kits featuring items such as a solar charger, flashlight, protective gear, ice, water, snacks, and informational pamphlets.The cause of the devastating fires remains unexplained, but it's thought that they may have been sparked by remnants of an earlier blaze. This previous fire is believed to have been caused by fireworks set off on New Year's Eve, according to a report. The Washington Post suggests that these remnants could've been reignited by strong winds, which have made the current blazes difficult to control, even six days after they were extinguished. Weather forecasters in California are now issuing warnings about fierce winds expected to pick up again this week, which fuelled the infernos around Los Angeles. Meanwhile, fire crews on the ground are racing against time to control three further raging fires
WILDFIRES CALIFORNIA HARRY MEGHAN MARKLE
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