The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are proud California residents. They have lived in Montecito, approximately 148km away from Los Angeles, since January 2020 when they stepped down as senior working members of the British royal family and left the UK for good. 

In light of the ongoing devastation caused by the LA wildfires, which have already claimed 24 lives and remain uncontained, it seemed inevitable that the royal couple would speak up. As well-known public figures and champions of philanthropy, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have joined hundreds of other celebrities in offering their condolences to the victims, their gratitude to the first responders and to call on the public to offer their support.

Two days after the first fire started in the Pacific Palisades area on 7 January, Markle and Harry released a joint statement on their website urging people to open their homes to the victims of the fire. More than 150,000 people have been forced to flee and evacuate their homes.

‘In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighbourhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centres, and so much more – affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life. A state of emergency has been issued,’ it read.

They went on to list some of the organisations helping with the relief efforts, including José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen. The NGO is a longtime partner of the Sussex’s Archewell Foundation and is currently serving meals to first responders and victims of the fire.

‘Open your home,’ they concluded. ‘If a friend, loved one or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do. And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbours to see if they need help evacuating.’

Meghan and Harry’s involvement in the relief efforts did not end there. A few days later, they were seen on a visit to the Pasadena Convention Centre, a venue temporarily being used as an evacuation centre for people who have lost their homes.

Meghan was filmed wearing a protective mask and a baseball cap as she handed out food packages to those in need. She was also photographed hugging some of the victims and the World Central Kitchen volunteers and talking to the Pasadena Mayor, Victor Gordo.

It sounds like standard procedure, especially in response to such shocking and widespread devastation so close to their home. However, as is often the case with the royal couple, their gesture proved to be more controversial than expected. In fact, they have been accused of exploiting the tragedy for a ‘photo op’ and dubbed ‘disaster tourists’.

Filmmaker and former actress Justine Bateman, who has appeared in shows including Desperate Housewives and Californication, led the charge. ‘Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers,’ she posted on X. ‘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.’

Another X user agreed and wrote, ‘I’m sure they just wanted to come and get their faces on TV.’ Meanwhile others took issue with a Fox reporter referring to the Duchess of Sussex as ‘Princess Markle’ in the viral news package.

However, the Pasadena Mayor was quick to jump to the couple’s defence. He told Fox that they visited anonymously and their public gratitude for the first responders ‘really buoyed the spirits’. ‘We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl and people were very happy to see them,’ he added.

It is no doubt a deeply troubling time for LA residents, but it is certainly ungenerous to assume the Sussexes were only there for personal gain.

Nor is it true. Harry and Markle have opened their Santa Barbara home to friends and loved ones forced to evacuate, which is situated 90 miles north of LA. They are also working with their Archewell Foundation to determine the most impactful ways to support the community during this crisis. The foundation is seeking volunteers to help with mental health recovery for those needing immediate help in the aftermath of the fires and are reportedly planning to facilitate long-term recovery efforts too. Any donations through the foundation will support the relief efforts.

The Sussexes have also donated essential supplies, including clothing and children’s items to organisations supporting people who have been forced to evacuate. Markle has also postponed the launch of her new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, until 4 March out of respect and to ‘focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires’.

Their public appearance certainly rubbed some people up the wrong way, but it cannot be said that they are not trying to use their platform to help. In fact, the backlash probably serves as a reminder as to why they were avoiding joint public appearances in the first place. Their stint at the Pasadena Convention Centre was the first time they have been seen together in public since last September.

The Sussexes have been trialling a ‘professional separation’ PR strategy in the hope of establishing their own identities apart from one another and pursuing their own projects – and, possibly, in an attempt to minimise negative press. ‘What happened to the “we want our privacy campaign”?’ asked one cynical social media user after their recent joint outing. ‘She’s making it all about her,’ read another post.

Ultimately, the response to Harry and Markle’s visit proves that they are damned if they do, damned if they don’t. Imagine the headlines if they did not publicly react to the crisis or make any effort to raise money for charities helping the victims of the fires. They would be called heartless hypocrites and get accused of being fake. Ironically, those are some of the insults leveraged at the couple for trying to help.

The LA wildfires disaster is unprecedented in scope. It is this story, not the Sussex’s ill-fated attempt to show support, that needs our full attention.