Prince Harry breaks cover after Vanity Fair takedown and 'disaster tourist' claims

In photos shared on Instagram, Prince Harry can be seen posing for a picture with members of the Salinas Fire Department in California as well as the petting their therapy support dogs

Prince Harry has been spotted visiting firefighters and their therapy dogs in the wake of the devastating wildfires that have ripped through California.

The Duke of Sussex was seen posing for pictures with several members of the Salinas Fire Department as well as petting their therapy support dogs. Snaps of the visit were shared on social media although it is unclear when Harry visited the group.

However, they are the first new pictures of the prince to emerge since he and wife Meghan Markle were the subject of a damning article in Vanity Fair magazine about their post-royal life. The pictures were also shared the day that Harry's trial against the publisher of The Sun was set to open at the High Court. Tuesday was due to mark the start of the trial, but delays mean that the case remains unopened after legal teams suggested that Harry was 'very close' to settling his claims over allegations of unlawful information gathering.

In the snaps shared by the fire department, Harry, dressed casually in black trousers and a black zip up jacket, can be seen standing alongside several firefighters and the support dogs. In other photos he can be seen tenderly stroking some of the pets.

The fire department wrote on Instagram: "Cruz and Taffy, Facility Dogs 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 is not the first time that Harry and Meghan have been seen visiting volunteers, victims and responders to the terrifying fires that have devastated parts of LA. Earlier this month, the pair were seen hugging people and speaking to emergency crews at the Pasadena Community Centre. Harry and Meghan live in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, some 90 miles from Los Angeles. Meghan's Netflix show With Love, Meghan has been postponed until March due to the fires.

However, their visit to the relief centre sparked a backlash with actress Justine Bateman slamming the couple for a "repulsive photo op" in a scathing statement on X. She added: "They are "touring the damage"? Are they politicians now? They don't live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists." However, a source told Page Six that Harry and Meghan feel the actress's comments were 'offensive' They explained: "It’s offensive to Meghan and Harry that anybody would think this is merely a photo opportunity."

Meanwhile, this weekend allegations in Vanity Fair about the couple sent shockwaves across the internet. In a cover article headlined 'American Hustle', the scathing piece contains more troubling claims about what it's allegedly like to work for the couple. These follow previous bullying accusations against Meghan, which she has always strenuously denied.

The article also quotes sources said to be neighbours of the couple in Montecito, who claim the pair are 'entitled' and 'disingenuous'. But according to The Times, the Sussexes have dismissed the allegations, with a source close to them describing them as 'distressing'.

Those who know Harry and Meghan also reportedly point to comments made by actress Sharon Stone when they first moved to Montecito back in 2020, who said that the couple would wave to people in the street and had become a "giving, caring, participating part of our community."

The Vanity Fair article also included claims that Harry underestimated the impact his explosive memoir Spare would have on relations with his family; that Meghan has 're-parented' Harry and that the couple lacked ideas when it came to their Netflix and Spotify deals.

The article in the magazine comes just months after a piece in the Hollywood Reporter claimed Meghan had been labelled 'Duchess Difficult'. However, in the days after the piece, current and former employees of the Sussexes spoke out in defence of working for Meghan in US Weekly magazine.