During the ongoing fires in LA, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry surprised everyone with their presence at a food bank, where they offered comfort to victims and first responders.
The couple was spotted distributing food parcels to those impacted by the destructive fires at the Pasadena Convention Center, which is currently serving as an evacuation facility, on Friday.
Both Harry and Meghan were spotted hugging José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen, which is distributing meals to victims.
Meghan, dressed in a light blue shirt and blue baseball cap, and Harry, wearing a black baseball cap and black shirt, also found time to console the Mayor of Pasadena Victor Gordo.
The couple were keen to provide any support they could, according to the Mayor, saying they were ‘great people’ with ‘great personalities’.
‘They really buoyed the spirits of the first responders. We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl and people were very happy to see them,’ the Mayor added.
The interaction was broadcast live on Fox News, with news anchor Susan Hirasuna being slammed online for describing Meghan as ‘Princess Markle’. She also received criticism for saying Meghan was ‘hanging out with the commoners’.
It comes after the couple opened the doors to their $29million Montecito mansion to their friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate the ongoing wildfires.
Speaking to Fox News, Mayor Gordo said: ‘They (Harry and Meghan) want to be as helpful as they can be and really they just want to be supportive.’
He added that the couple visited some of the burnt out houses in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke to those who had lost their homes.
‘They took the time to meet the people who were affected and spend time. They are just very caring people who are very concerned for their friends and neighbours,’ the Mayor said.
Ms Hirasuna then asked: ‘I saw Meghan Markle stoop down and take the lid off of a plastic bin. Do they want to really get down and dirty?’
Mayor Gordo replied saying the couple ‘were not here for publicity, they came out here to work’.
He said Harry and Meghan made an earlier appearance at the centre on the same day, during which they were ‘anonymously’ serving food to victims who were unable to recognise the pair with their masks on.
‘We went to visit some of the families in the impacted area and view firsthand some of the impacted area and then they wanted to go visit the first responders and personally thank them for their efforts to help our families and their neighbors,’ the Mayor added.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California’s First Partner, was also pictured speaking to the couple along with Chef Andrés.
Earlier in the broadcast, Ms Hirasuna described Meghan as ‘Princess Meghan’, which led to some disgruntled viewers to criticise her reporting.
Many took to social media to point out her mistake, clarifying that Meghan is the Duchess of Sussex, rather than a Princess.
One person YouTube saying: ‘Dear Ma’am, Markel is not a princess. She is a duchess and not allowed to use the title. Just FYI.’
Another commenter added: ‘AGAIN SHES NOT A PRINCESS!!!’, while a third wrote: ‘Stop calling her Princess, that’s not her title!’
Elsewhere on Instagram, users described the coverage as cringe, after Ms Hirasuna also said the couple was ‘hanging out with the commoners’.
One person wrote: ‘Absolute cringeworthy – the newscaster. Princess. Commoners. Geez.’
Another person added: ‘I imagine Harry & Meghan are very moved by the deviation (sic) so close to home. The commentators coverage of this is extremely cringe.’
A third person also criticised Ms Hirasuna for making the ‘rude remark’.
Harry and Meghan have urged other Los Angeles residents to open up their homes for victims in a statement on their website, Sussex.com, as the wildfires continued to level celebrities’ homes, leaving nothing but ash and rubble.
The couple urged: ‘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 neighbors to see if they need help evacuating.’
‘Please consider donating clothing, children’s toys and clothing, and other essentials,’ they said, noting the American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need.
Harry and Meghan have already done so, according to The Telegraph, and are working with their staff from the Archewell Foundation to identify the most effective ways to support the community.
Donations have also been made to relief efforts through their foundation, which is also looking for opportunities to volunteer.
Thousands of firefighters have been attempting to contain the wind-driven fires in California which have so far killed 10 people, ravaged communities, and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their properties.
Blustery winds continue to whip across Los Angeles and could still ignite new fires, though they appear to have mellowed somewhat from their highs on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Since the fire broke out in Pacific Palisades, new fires have started further east in Altadena, which forced major evacuations in nearby Pasadena on Tuesday night.
More fires broke out in the Hollywood hills on Wednesday, threatening heavily populated parts of Hollywood.
Stars including Adam Brody and Leighton Meester whose home was destroyed, along with Anna Faris’ mansion.
John Goodman and Anthony Hopkins were left with nothing but rubble after their homes burned, and Billy Crystal and Eugene Levy also lost their houses.
Actor James Woods shared video of the approaching flames shortly before he evacuated ahead of the destruction of his house.
The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag saw their home destroyed in the wildfire, and Spencer was pictured looking somberly at the approaching flames before his family was forced to flee.
