Prince Harry and Meghan receive recognition for bringing attention to important social issues despite backlash about their lifestyle.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have come under fire for a variety of reasons since their exit in 2020.

José Andrés emphasized that the royal duo utilize their influence to raise awareness and support various causes, rather than isolating themselves from the world’s issues.

During an interview with Page Six at the City Harvest Presents the 2025 Gala: Carnaval in New York City, José Andrés expressed bewilderment at the continuous negativity directed towards Prince Harry and Meghan following their decision to transition away from royal responsibilities and relocate to the United States.

He defended the duo, calling them an “amazing couple” and noting that he only wants to” talk about the good things that they do.”

The chef then pointed out that the Sussexes could have chosen to be “in their own cave and do nothing” after leaving royal life, but they are using their platforms “to bring voice and life to issues.”

Giving context to his remarks, Andrés recalled how Harry and Meghan provided aid for the Los Angeles wildfires’ survivors.

“When they were in LA during the fires, they were genuinely in the fires,” the non-profit ceo added. “When the cameras were not rolling, they were there listening to people, and they made them feel like the most important person in the world.”

Some of the recent backlash directed at Prince Harry and Meghan has come from Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chair of Harry’s African charity, Sentebale.

Last month, following the Invictus Games founder’s resignation from the organization, Chandauka made headlines by labeling the couple’s brand as “toxic” in a bombshell interview.

“The number one risk for this organisation was the toxicity of its lead patron’s brand,” Dr Chandauka, before adding that the couple stepping back from their royal life led to a decline in the charity’s donors and hampered its hiring ability.

“When you start to interview people, they’re asking questions about, well, these mixed messages around the patron,” she added, per The Mirror.

The trustee chair had also previously accused Harry of bullying and misogyny, with her claims and the organization now being investigated by the Charity Commission.

Another individual who has issued a string of criticisms against Harry and Meghan is former Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Tina Brown.

In a chat with The Telegraph, she claimed that the Duke and Duchess had a greater positive impact while operating under the royal umbrella than through anything they have done since stepping away from the monarchy.

She said, “He and Meghan talk about ‘doing good,’ but what good are they doing? The good you can do as a royal is so much more potent.”

The veteran journalist then branded the couple as “disaster tourists,” referencing their visit to survivors of the California wildfires.

She also claimed that the duo has a large “appetite for money,” which she believes led them to make “disastrous decisions,” such as Prince Harry’s “Spare” memoir and the Oprah interview.

Previously, Brown slammed Meghan over her cooking show, “With Love, Meghan,” and the former actress’s approach to promoting her lifestyle brand, As Ever.

Speaking about the show, Brown claimed it is proof that Meghan has an “unerring instinct for getting it wrong” and that she has “never figured out a convincing persona.”

She also used sharply worded remarks when referencing Meghan’s lifestyle brand.