Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been brutally branded "disaster tourists" after they were papped comforting the victims of the LA wildfires last week.
The Sussexes were seen at an evacuation centre in California, hugging those who had lost their homes as the ferocious fires continued to blaze - just hours before it was confirmed the death toll due in the state had climbed to 24.
The former royals made a statement shortly before their appearance, sending their support to those who had been affected by the tragedy. However, actress, Justine Bateman slammed the Duke and Duchess for a "repulsive photo op" in a scathing statement.
Image:
Getty Images)Image:
Getty Images)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".
He added: "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."
Meghan and Harry 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 couple 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.
Image:
BBC)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 $29million mansion in Montecito, which is around 90 miles from LA, to their friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate the ongoing wildfires.
Speaking to FOX LA, 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 destroyed properties in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke to those who had lost their homes.
Giving her take on the couple's appearance on Friday, body language expert told the Mirror that Meghan and Harry looked like the 'US version of the Royal Family'. She said: "Meghan is doing some full body hugs here in a ritual of consoling and her facial expression mirrors the sadness the people she’s meeting must be feeling. Coming on top of some more practical help from the couple there’s a feeling they’re appearing like the US version of our royals."
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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