Meghan Markle ignores ‘disaster tourist’ backlash as she helps more LA fire victims

Meghan Markle has been spotted helping out at yet another relief effort for victims of the Los Angeles fires.

The Duchess of Sussex was seen laden with bags full of donations, in an Instagram reel posted by a recovery fund set up in Altadena – one of the worst affected areas from the devastating blazes.

Her visit to donate items to the Altadena Teen Girls Fire Recovery Fund comes just days after she and Prince Harry were seen at a food distribution hub in Pasadena. It sparked a brutal backlash with actress Justine Bateman branding them “disaster tourists”. In the new video posted by the Altadena Girls Fire Recovery Fund Instagram account, Meghan can be seen in a low-key outfit of black leggings, a black T-shirt, black trainers and a baseball cap with LA on the front, being greeted as she brings large bags to donate to the fund.

She can also be seen embracing a volunteer in the Instagram reel, featuring other clips of people dropping off items at the donation hub. It was reported that the visit to the hub came on Monday and among the items she donated were new clothes as well as beauty products. It is believed Meghan also stayed for lunch and chatted to families and helped out the young girls with their charity drive.

The Altadena Teen Girls Fire Recovery Fund was set up last week by 14-year-old Avery Colvert from Pasadena. She wanted to gather clothes, beauty and haircare products for other young teens affected by the fires. It later emerged that Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation made a donation to the organisation.

The video of Meghan’s visit to donate items came on the day that Meghan’s Netflix show With Love, Meghan, had been due to drop on the streaming platform. However, on Sunday it was announced it was being pushed back until March 4 due to the ongoing fires in southern California, where most of the show is set.

Earlier this week, an insider revealed Harry and Meghan’s reaction to being branded ‘disaster tourists’ after being pictured hugging victims of the Los Angeles fires.

As the devastating blazes have spread across southern California, the Sussexes were seen hugging people and speaking to emergency crews at the Pasadena Community Centre in Los Angeles on Friday. The couple also met Victor Gordo, mayor of Pasadena, and in the footage, they are seen speaking to World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder chef Jose Andres, as well as embracing victims and volunteers.

It led to 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.”

Harry and Meghan live in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, some 90 miles from Los Angeles. But the source added: “Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles, so this is, and always will be, home to her.” They also added that the duchess was ‘not a tourist’ and that “her heart is completely broken for all the lives that have been lost and for those whose homes have been destroyed in these fires.”

Mayor Gordo also praised the pair, saying they were keen to provide any support they could. The mayor 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.”

It is believed the couple have donated clothing, children’s items and other essential supplies for people affected by the fires. They also invited friends and loved ones who had been forced to evacuate into their home, it is understood.

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