A series of wildfires broke out in Los Angeles County, California. The first fire ignited in Pacific Palisades, an upscale community 22 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. Fires also erupted in Eaton and Hurst on the same day. As of now, only two fires are causing major problems: the Palisades fire, which has burned over 22,000 acres and is 77% contained, and the Eaton fire, which has burned over 14,000 acres and is 35% contained.
The fires have already claimed at least 24 lives, destroyed over 12,300 structures, and led to evacuation orders for 92,000 people in Los Angeles County. The situation has drawn massive media attention, and many are eager to help the victims.
Meghan Markle, originally an American actress, married Prince Harry in May 2018. By marrying Harry, she became the Duchess of Sussex. However, despite Harry being a prince, Meghan is not referred to as "Princess Meghan"—that title is reserved for royal family members born into the line of succession. In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced they would step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. They eventually moved to California, settling in a mansion in Montecito, 91 miles west of Los Angeles.
Since their move, Harry and Meghan have launched several business ventures and signed lucrative deals with companies like Netflix and Spotify. Despite some successes, their ventures have often been criticized for lacking substance. Additionally, the couple has been vocal about their alleged mistreatment by the British royal family and the press, which has become a core part of their brand. However, they’ve struggled to convey a message that resonates positively with the public, and their attempts at image rehabilitation have faced repeated setbacks.
On January 10, 2025, as the wildfires continued to rage in Los Angeles, Harry and Meghan were seen touring Altadena with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo. The area was severely affected by the fires. Later, they were seen at the Pasadena Convention Center, where they reportedly volunteered and donated clothing and other supplies. However, it’s unclear exactly how long they were there—eyewitnesses suggested their stay lasted less than 20 minutes.
The next day, actress Justine Bateman posted a message on social media, condemning the couple’s actions, calling them "disaster tourists" and accusing them of using the situation for a photo opportunity.
Justine Bateman’s post sparked strong reactions. Some people agreed with her, expressing frustration with Harry and Meghan’s frequent public appearances, while others defended their right to help, arguing that any support is valuable.
So, was it inappropriate for the couple to visit the disaster zone?
Let’s break this down into two parts: their tour of Altadena and their brief volunteering stint at the Pasadena Convention Center.
There are several arguments against Harry and Meghan visiting the affected areas. First, they are not emergency workers or politicians; they have no direct ties to the communities affected by the fires. Their presence added nothing to the relief effort—if anything, it may have been a distraction. With so many people already working on the ground, having a high-profile couple in the mix might not have been helpful. Additionally, the fires had already been covered extensively in the media, so there wasn’t any new awareness to raise by having them tour the area.
While volunteering in person is important, the couple’s brief stay at the Pasadena Convention Center doesn’t seem to justify their presence. They were reportedly there for less than 20 minutes and didn’t appear to contribute much. Realistically, a few minutes of standing around and talking likely didn’t do much to alleviate the situation. Volunteering requires time and tangible effort, but in this case, it seemed more like a photo opportunity.
On the other hand, Meghan’s connection to Los Angeles may have motivated her to want to help, given her roots there. Additionally, volunteering does require physical presence, and perhaps the couple thought they could offer moral support or boost the spirits of victims and first responders. Some people, especially those who are fans of Harry and Meghan, may have found their visit encouraging.
After considering the evidence, I believe Harry and Meghan’s visit was inappropriate. Their actions seemed more about self-promotion than actual help. While their desire to assist is understandable, their brief and minimally impactful involvement in the relief effort didn’t add value. This behavior fits into a larger pattern of seeking attention, whether positive or negative.
When Meghan first met Prince Harry, it seemed like an opportunity for her to ascend to greatness. She wanted to become a royal and live out her dream, but life as a working royal wasn’t what she expected. After stepping back from the royal family, she has continued to seek attention, and much of her public persona revolves around playing the victim.
Harry and Meghan’s actions during the Los Angeles wildfires are part of a long-standing effort to remain in the public eye. The couple has mastered the art of gaining attention, even if it’s negative, and they seem to care more about relevance than about actually helping others.
