Did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Break California State Law During Their LA Fire PR Visit?
What Harry and Meghan did was illegal. Somebody should tell their people that they aren’t above California law.”
“Reminder for California media: While state law (CA Penal Code 49.5 subsection D) grants media access to declared disaster areas, this does not extend to private property or federal lands. Please respect private property owners and the law by avoiding private property or federally designated areas, including private roads, when covering stories.”
Cal Fire also posted this reminder on Instagram, which raised some eyebrows—especially when paired with photos of Harry and Meghan’s recent visit.
Photographer Keith Birmingham captured images of Harry and Meghan visiting a property destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. According to Birmingham’s captions, the couple visited 2858 High View Avenue, a private property decimated by the disaster.
The question is: Did they have proper authorization to access this private land?
To clarify, let’s look directly at California Penal Code 409.5, which governs access to disaster areas:
1. **Section D** allows authorized media representatives to enter closed areas for reporting purposes.
2. However, **Section C** is more general and states:
> *“An unauthorized person who willfully and knowingly enters an area closed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) and remains after receiving notice to evacuate shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”*
This section applies to anyone unauthorized—not just media—who enters restricted areas.
Here’s where things get murky. Harry and Meghan are not members of the media, nor are they affiliated with any government body or organization officially responding to the disaster. This raises two key questions:
1. **Were they unauthorized individuals on private property?** If so, this could be a direct violation of the law.
2. **If they *were* authorized, why?** What would justify granting them access, given they aren’t official representatives of the UK, the royal family, or any California agency?
Let’s be clear: This isn’t just about laws and regulations. It’s about the optics. When Harry and Meghan visit disaster-stricken areas, their actions are closely scrutinized. Critics argue their appearances often feel performative, designed to generate PR rather than meaningful assistance.
Compare this to traditional royal visits by Prince William and Princess Catherine, who are widely praised for their genuine engagement and quiet support during crises.
