Megan Markle and Prince Harry have hit back after being slammed for 'taking advantage' of the LA wildfires tragedy.
As the flames continued to ravage through California, the Sussexes rocked up at a food bank at an evacuation centre in Pacific Palisades on Friday, hugging those who had lost their homes. The city's mayor praised the pair for rallying the community. However, actress, Justine Bateman, slammed the former royals for using the tragedy as a "repulsive photo op", claiming the couple, who own a home in LA, were nothing more than "disaster tourists".
In response to the slur, Meghan and Harry are said to have taken offence, with a source saying: "It’s offensive to Meghan and Harry that anybody would think this is merely a photo opportunity."
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BBC)They told Page Six that the former Suits star is “not just a tourist” and “her heart is completely broken for all the lives that have been lost and for those whose homes have been destroyed in these fires.” The source added that the Sussexes, who have a multi-million dollar pad in Montecito, “invested significant time and resources and they have donated money and essential items." They also said the pair had "dedicated countless hours to volunteering, long before the media even caught wind of their involvement."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were pictured consoling victims affected by the blazes over the weekend, but now, they are on the cusp of evacuation themselves. Their hometown of Montecito has been placed under a red flag warning as hurricane-force winds head towards them, putting the pair in extreme danger of losing their $29million (£24m) mansion.
Meghan and Harry made a statement shortly before their appearance at the evacuation centre on Friday, sending their support to those who had been affected by the tragedy. However, Justine slammed the Duke and Duchess for a "repulsive photo op" in a scathing statement.
Taking to X, she fumed: "Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers. 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."
Video captured by Fox 11 Los Angeles showed Harry and Meghan in Pasadena on Friday, mingling with volunteers and the city's mayor, Victor Gordo.
The Duke and Duchess were keen to provide any support they could, according to the mayor, who said they were "great people" with "great personalities".
The couple had been handing out food parcels at the evacuation centre to those affected by the devastating fires at the Pasadena Convention Centre, which is being used as an evacuation centre.
The parents-of-two were also seen hugging José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen, which is distributing free hot meals to the public and emergency crews in the wake of the wildfires.
The scenes were broadcast live on FOX LA, with news anchor Susan Hirasuna later being criticised online for describing Meghan as 'Princess Markle'. She was also slammed for saying Meghan was 'hanging out with the commoners'.
It comes after the couple opened the doors to their home Montecito, which is around 90 miles from LA, to their friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate the ongoing wildfires.
However, Meghan and Harry look like they will have to leave their home to escape the rapidly spreading flames - and are prepared to enter 'crisis mode' if necessary.
While Montecito is some distance from the inferno, the speed with which the flames are growing has meant that those living in the swanky neighbourhood are making plans to evacuate should they need to.
The Sussexes have issued orders to their security team to make a plan and pack essentials for their children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. A local said: "It's not chaos here yet but the fire is moving fast and we are not taking any chances."
Those living in the area have already been provided with public safety survival kits containing a solar charger, flashlight, protective equipment, ice, water, snacks and safety pamphlets.
The cause of the devasting fires is still to be explained, however, it may have reignited from scorch marks left by an earlier blaze, which is believed to have been caused by fireworks set off on New Year’s Eve, according to a report.
According to the Washington Post, the remnants of the New Year’s Eve fire could’ve been reignited by strong winds — which have made the current blazes difficult to control — even six days after it was put out.
Weather forecasters in California are now warning fierce winds which fuelled the infernos around Los Angeles are expected to pick up again this week, as fire crews on the ground race to make progress controlling three further raging fires.
The Mirror has contacted Meghan and Harry's rep for comment.
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