It seems the Sussexes have once again graced us with their signature brand of charity work—this time making a brief appearance at the Los Angeles fire relief efforts. But before we dive into their whirlwind visit, let’s compare their efforts to someone who truly understands the meaning of giving back: Selena Gomez.
On January 16, Selena Gomez and her fiancé Benny Blanco were spotted making a genuine difference amidst the chaos of the LA fires. The couple arrived with boxes of food and supplies, masks on, and no PR fanfare in sight. They didn’t just stop by for a quick photo op; they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Unpacking food, donating a substantial $5 million, and rallying companies to keep the aid flowing—this was charity done right.
Now, let’s turn our attention to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who made their grand entrance for a brisk 17 minutes of what can best be described as “hug-and-run” charity. Their contribution? Posing for perfectly staged photos, handing out a few hugs, and, apparently, not much else. Did they bring food or supplies? Nope. Instead, they arrived in a fleet of gas-guzzling SUVs, lifted the lid off a plastic bin, and exchanged pleasantries. Meghan hugged a few people, Harry told someone to buy a donut, and their mission was complete.
The tabloids were quick to heap praise on the pair, painting them as saints for their efforts. But let’s be honest: the whole thing felt more like a PR exercise than a genuine attempt to help. Meanwhile, Selena and Benny were quietly doing the work—donating millions, mobilizing resources, and making a real impact without any “look at me” moments.
For perspective, let’s recall when actor Sean Penn waded through floodwaters to rescue survivors during a hurricane. No cameras, no entourage, no carefully curated photo ops—just pure, unfiltered heroism. Now contrast that with Harry and Meghan, who drove two hours to hand out sandwiches, ensuring the cameras captured their every move.
Here’s the thing: charity isn’t about being seen; it’s about making a real difference. If Harry and Meghan truly wanted to help, they could have brought supplies, donated generously, and skipped the PR spectacle. Instead, their focus seemed to be on optics rather than impact.
Next time, the Sussexes might want to take a page from Selena and Benny’s book: show up with meaningful contributions, roll up your sleeves, and leave the self-congratulations at home. Because true charity doesn’t need a camera crew—it speaks for itself.
