Prince Harry has been photographed with therapy dogs from a fire service that have been providing support to crews and residents affected by the California wildfires.
During his visit, the Duke of Sussex met Cruz and Taffy from the Salinas Fire Department, who were deployed to Los Angeles to aid in the firefighting efforts.
The Salinas Fire Department shared four images on Instagram capturing Prince Harry petting the dogs and engaging with their handlers, showcasing genuine smiles and interactions.
Harry also posed for a group photo with the team in the sunshine, with the fire crew saying meeting Harry was an ‘inspiring turn of events’ and ‘boosted their morale’.
The post said: ‘Cruz and Taffy, Facility Dog’s with the Salinas Fire Dept, along with their friends, have been actively assisting in the efforts to combat the LA fires, providing much-needed support to firefighters and affected communities.
‘In an inspiring turn of events, they also had the opportunity to meet Prince Harry, who is known for his philanthropic work and advocacy on various social issues, including disaster relief.
‘This encounter not only boosted their morale but also emphasised the importance of community and collaboration in the face of such devastating challenges.’
It comes a fortnight after Meghan said she was ‘devastated’ after her rescue beagle dog Guy died, telling how she had ‘cried too many tears to count’. The Sussexes have two other dogs – another rescue beagle called Mia and a black Labrador called Pula.
Meanwhile the Sussexes have also faced a series of criticisms in a major Vanity Fair article, including one Montecito resident labelling them ‘most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet’.
Prince Harry poses with members of the Salinas Fire Department and their therapy dogs
The Duke of Sussex met the dogs who have been helping residents impacted by the wildfires
Harry spoke to the dogs’ handlers as he met the team from the Salinas Fire Department
Harry met Cruz and Taffy from the Salinas Fire Department who were sent to Los AngelesÂ
Meanwhile Harry’s High Court case against the publisher of The Sun is set to return to court for a second day this morning amid speculation over potential settlements.
The Duke and former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson are bringing legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN) over allegations of unlawful information gathering by journalists and private investigators between 1996 to 2011.
NGN, which also ran the now-defunct News Of The World, denies any unlawful activity took place at The Sun. The Duke had not been expected to return to the UK until February when he was due to give evidence in person.
Yesterday was due to mark the start of the trial, but delays mean that the case remains unopened – and the Duke is now said to be ‘very close’ to clinching an out-of-court settlement.Â
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hugged residents and spoke to emergency crews at a meal distribution site for people affected by the deadly wildfires in California on January 10
Harry and Meghan met people at Pasadena Convention Center in California on January 10
Harry and his wife Meghan Markle live in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, 90 miles from Los Angeles, and have already been responding to the fires.
On January 10, the couple hugged residents and spoke to emergency crews at a meal distribution site at the Pasadena Convention Center for people affected by the fires.
However the Sussexes attracted criticism from some quarters, with Hollywood actress Justine Bateman calling them ‘disaster tourists’ and saying they were only there for a ‘photo op’.Â
But a source then told Page Six that the couple found the comments ‘offensive’ and Meghan’s heart was ‘broken’ due to her close ties with LA, including growing up in the area.Â
It is believed the couple have donated clothing, children’s items and other essential supplies for people affected by the fires.
Meghan and Harry have also been working with the Altadena Girls Fire Recovery Fund and donated to the cause, which was launched by 14-year-old Avery Colvert to support teenage girls in her community to ‘regain their sense of self and confidence’ after the fires.
Meghan said on January 7 that she was ‘devastated’ after her rescue beagle dog Guy died
In a video posted by the organisation on January 15, Meghan was seen talking to a young girl in a car park as she lugged multiple bags, presumably full of donations, in her arms.Â
Then, it was announced on January 12 that the release of a new Netflix series produced by Meghan had been postponed due to the devastation caused by the wildfires.
Eight-part series With Love, Meghan, which will see the actress share cooking, gardening and hosting tips, will premiere on March 4 instead of January 15.
Earlier this week, it was claimed Harry and Meghan had dismissed allegations about their difficult behaviour towards staff made by Vanity Fair as ‘distressing’, it was claimed today.
The damning profile in the magazine – headlined ‘American Hustle’ – stated that the Duchess could be ‘really, really awful’ when things did not go her way.
Citing multiple sources who have worked for the Sussexes since they quit Britain five years ago, Meghan would be ‘warm and effusive’ towards employees before turning ‘cold and withholding toward the person she perceived to be responsible’ when something went wrong.
They were also labelled the ‘most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet’.Â
Firefighters battle the Lilac Fire near Bonsall in San Diego County, California, yesterday
But their marriage is rock solid, a source has said, declaring ‘their love is real’ and they are still ‘hot for each other’.
Actors Mel Gibson, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Billy Crystal, Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg are among the Hollywood stars who have lost their homes in the blazes.
Parched Southern California is forecast to face more dangerous winds today but could get some badly needed rain this weekend, dampening the prospects of another round of killer wildfires.
However, even a small amount of precipitation could create new challenges like toxic ash runoff – with Los Angeles officials preparing for that prospect.
A small number of residents have been allowed to return to the devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas and firefighters quickly controlled small blazes that broke out.
The new Netflix series With Love, Meghan has been postponed due to the devastating wildfires
Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order yesterday to expedite cleanup efforts in burn areas and mitigate the environmental impacts of fire-related pollutants.
She ordered crews to remove vegetation, shore up hillsides, install barriers and reinforce roads ahead of the possible weekend rain, which could create mud and debris flows.
Los Angeles County supervisors also approved an emergency motion to install flood control infrastructure and expedite and remove sediment in fire-impacted areas.
And firefighters continued to battle the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out on January 7.
In 2018, Montecito was ravaged by mudslides after a downpour hit mountain slopes burned bare by a huge wildfire. Some 23 people died, and hundreds of homes were damaged.
