Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to the area affected by the fires in Los Angeles has not had the positive impact they had hoped for, especially in terms of public reactions.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex not only expressed their sadness and opened the doors of their home to affected friends, but also decided to become volunteers for a day.
We at RoyalFamily.news reported that the Duke and Duchess rallied to the cause and helped those affected, handing out food, supplies, and offering words of encouragement to dozens of those affected.
However, their visit to the disaster zone was not without controversy.
What happened to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Los Angeles?
While some applauded them, others criticized them, labeling them “disaster tourists.”
Newsweek reports that the reaction on social media was quite negative, with comments such as that of actress and filmmaker Justine Bateman, who 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. #PalisadesFire.”
Her post went viral, racking up nearly 2 million views.
Bateman, known for her role in Family Ties, is a departure from the usual group of Harry and Meghan critics, who often attack the couple after their public appearances.
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. #PalisadesFire https://t.co/Kv6v6jSX4y— Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) January 12, 2025
In addition, she has been a guest on news programs to discuss the fire situation.
However, it was not all criticism. Some defended Harry and Meghan, such as royal commentator Afua Hagan, who said:
“It’s typical. It’s more of the same. The motto of Archewell is ‘show up and do good’ and that’s what they did and they’re panned for it. The Prince and Princess of Wales have gone to many a food bank, many a soup kitchen doing the same, showing up and doing good, but only Harry and Meghan seem to get the criticism for it.”
This is not the first time Harry and Meghan have been accused of PR stunts in times of crisis.
A similar situation occurred following their visit to Uvalde, Texas, after the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in May 2022.
Following her visit to the fire-ravaged area, the Duchess of Sussex made a drastic decision regarding her new Netflix show, “With Love, Meghan.”
She reportedly decided to postpone the premiere until March 4 as a way to show respect to those affected by the severe fires that ravaged entire areas.
Harry and Meghan’s visit generated both support and criticism, reflecting the polarization that often surrounds the couple.
While their intention was to help and show solidarity, public perception can be a tricky terrain, especially in crisis situations.