Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Quietly Worked To Support This Overlooked Community Destroyed by the LA Wildfires

The wildfires raging through Los Angeles have been both surreal and devastating. While the Pacific Palisades fire grabbed headlines for displacing celebrities like Ben Affleck, Paris Hilton, and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, countless ordinary families are now grappling with the heartbreaking loss of their homes.

Some people might not realize the Palisades fire is just one of several wildfires burning across the region. The Eaton Fire has wreaked havoc throughout L.A. County, hitting Altadena — a historic Black community — especially hard. Flames from this still-active wildfire have destroyed homes, upended lives, and forced long-standing families to face the daunting task of rebuilding from scratch.

Amid the devastation, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry masked up and got to work. On Friday, Jan. 10, the couple was spotted alongside first responders and volunteers, distributing food through World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Pasadena, the neighborhood south of Altadena, and offering empathy to weary families. 

“They wanted to offer their assistance, encourage the first responders, lift the spirits of the volunteers, and just say to people, ‘hang in there,’” Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo told Los Angeles Daily News. During their visit, they met with WCK founder José Andrés, personally thanking him and his team for their tireless work in feeding those displaced by the fires.

For those unfamiliar with Altadena, here is a brief history. During the Great Migration of the early 20th century, Altadena stood out as one of the few places in Southern California where Black families could buy property and escape the oppressive grip of redlining, a racist housing policy that blocked Black residents from homeownership in many areas. This opportunity gave families in Altadena the chance to build generational wealth and establish a community that has stood for over a century. By 1980, Black residents made up more than 40% of the population, and today, despite despite demographic shifts, the neighborhood remains a proud symbol of Black achievement and resilience.

The fire, however, has struck at the heart of Altadena’s legacy, destroying homes passed down for generations and uprooting families who have long been central to the community. It also shines a harsh light on broader issues like California’s wildfire insurance crisis, leaving many residents uninsured or fighting inequities in the claims process.

Markle and Prince Harry’s actions are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. All across California, neighbors are stepping up for one another, showing what true community looks like during times of crisis. Angelenos, especially, have come together with the kind of grit and determination that seems to be ingrained in communities who’ve faced countless climate disasters before. 

And here’s the hard truth — we’re seeing this play out far too often. Across the country, communities are grappling with the devastating consequences of climate change. According to the National Center for Environmental Information, the U.S. faced a staggering 27 major weather and climate disasters in 2024 alone. Each of these events caused more than $1 billion in damage, making it the second-highest year on record for billion-dollar disasters. From 17 powerful storms to wildfires, hurricanes, and floods, last year and the start of 2025 have been sobering reminders of the not only the increasingly daunting challenges we face, but also of the resilience and solidarity we can tap into to face them. Because when the climate crisis strikes, it doesn’t check your zip code or your tax bracket — it affects all of us.

If you’re looking to support relief efforts for Los Angeles fires and help protect Altadena’s future, here are some organizations to consider:

Before you go, click here to see more of Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s milestones since leaving the royal family.