Harry and Meghan unite for victims of deadly LA inferno: Sussexes’ visit to relief centre is first time they been seen together in public for five months

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to Los Angeles to support victims of the horrifying wildfires was the first time they have been seen together in public for 145 days, MailOnline can reveal today.

Meghan Markle was filmed by a TV crew hugging victims and first responders at an evacuation centre in Pasadena last Friday as Prince Harry appeared moved as he watched on. 

While they were together on the trailer Meghan’s new Netflix show and an emotional tribute to their dog on Instagram in early January, their last appearance together in public before LA last week was almost five months ago, on their tour of Colombia.

The couple were pictured smiling, clapping, dancing and even kissing in Cali on August 18 before they flew back to the US.

At the Sussexes’ royal-style visit to a Pasadena shelter on January 10 they mingled with volunteers and the city’s mayor, Victor Gordo.

Meghan and Harry both looked distressed as they spoke to people with Meghan hugging one woman on camera. 

The couple have donated money to the LA wildfires appeal via their Archewell Foundation, as well as clothing, children’s items, and other essential supplies. They have also opened their mansion in Montecito to friends and their loved ones who have been forced to evacuate due to the fires around 100 miles south.

January 10, 2025: Meghan Markle comforting victims and first responders at an evacuation centre  in LA. It was the first time she and Harry were together in public for almost five months

August 18, 2024: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex seen at the Unidad Recreativa El Vallado in Cali, Colombia

Meghan and Harry danced and kissed at their previous, happier, public engagement in Colombia

The couple put on a united front in LA last week.

But the Sussexes have been spending more time apart – publicly at least – as part of what insiders called a ‘twin track’ approach to public appearances that will see them doing more things on their own to pursue their own good causes and passions.

In December Prince Harry used a solo trip to a New York media summit to challenge persistent online rumours that his marriage to Meghan Markle is on the rocks after six years.

The Duke of Sussex was one of the star guests at the annual DealBook Summit live where he let rip at ‘trolls’, insisting he feels ‘sorry’ for them because they ‘hope’ they will split up.

With his wife Meghan 2,500 miles away at a gala event in Los Angeles with friend Tyler Perry, Harry was asked by the event’s founder Andrew Ross Sorkin about the public’s fixation on their relationship.

‘They’re fascinated Meghan is in California right now, and you’re here. There are articles left and right about: “Why are you making, doing independent events? Why aren’t you doing them together?”.’

The Duke of Sussex then dismissed claims that he and Meghan are struggling in their relationship.

‘Apparently we’ve bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it’s just like, ‘what?’,’ Harry said laughing.

‘It’s hard to keep up with, but that’s why you just sort of ignore it. The people I feel most sorry about are the trolls.

‘Their hopes are just built and built, and it’s like, ‘Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes’, and then it doesn’t happen. So I feel sorry for them. Genuinely, I do’.

In 2024 there were joint tours to Jamaica and Nigeria as well as a joint visit to Canada to promote the next Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler.

But in the seven weeks after their four-day visit to Colombia in mid-August, the Sussexes carried out no less than 11 engagements separately.

Earlier in 2024 the royal jetted into the UK alone to see his father King Charles III after the monarch was diagnosed with cancer. He also visited for an event to celebrate a decade of the Invictus Games and the recent funeral of his mother’s brother-in-law Lord Robert Fellowes.

There was also a boys’ trip with best friend Nacho Figueras to Asia in August to raise money for good causes through polo matches. Harry has also popped up in Vegas alone.

 Meghan Markle, who was described as Princess Markle by a FOX LA anchor, was seen consoling victims of the wildfires at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday

Meghan Markle speaks with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, center, and Doug Goodwin, who’s home was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, in Altadena

On a solo visit to NYC in December, Prince Harry quashed rumours online that he and Meghan have ‘apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times’, blaming trolls and saying her felt sorry for them as they will be disappointed

Meghan meanwhile has been filming her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which does feature Harry. It was due for release on Wednesday but has been delayed until early March due to the LA wildfires.

She has also returned to Instagram after a six-year hiatus, where her most recent post was a tribute to her dog, Guy, who has died.

Meghan shared intimate pictures and video from his life, including with Harry. It also features the voices of their children Archie and Lilibet.

Yesterday the couple were slammed by Justine Bateman as ‘disaster tourists’ after they appeared volunteering during the LA wildfires.

The Hollywood actress, 58, took to Twitter to blast the couple after they were spotted in footage dressed in plain clothes and speaking with victims and other helpers. 

Bateman wrote online: ‘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.’

Others said criticism of them was unfair – and that it was positive that they had travelled to LA to help with the ongoing disaster. 

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 couple were keen to provide any support they could, according to the mayor, saying they were ‘great people’ with ‘great personalities’.

‘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,’ Gordo added.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been handing out food parcels to those affected by the devastating fires at the Pasadena Convention Centre which is being used as an evacuation centre.

The couple were also spotted 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.   

It came 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 burnt out houses in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke to those who had lost their homes.

Meghan and Harry pictured with other volunteers after helping LA wildfire victims

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been handing out food parcels to those affected by the devastating fires at the Pasadena Convention Centre which is being used as an evacuation centre

Meghan is seen consolling José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen, as they made an appearance at the Pasadena Convention Centre on Friday 

‘They took the time to meet the people who were affected and spend time. They are just very caring people who are very concerned for their friends and neighbours,’ Gordo said.

The fires that have ravaged the city have killed 24 people and burned through almost 14,000 acres. 

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner published a list of fatalities without giving details of any identities. Eight of the dead were found in the Palisades Fire zone, and 16 in the Eaton Fire zone, the document said. 

Around 4,000 to 5,000 structures have also been damaged or destroyed including the homes of Hollywood A-listers.

US President Joe Biden has chillingly predicting the death toll is likely to rise after he described the terrifying situation as ‘like a war scene’.

Bateman’s public blasting comes after Meghan yesterday revealed she was pushing forward the release date of her new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, due to the ongoing LA wildfire crisis.

The programme was set to be released on January 15, but this has now been moved to March 4.  

A statement issued by the Duchess of Sussex on Sunday, three days before the series was scheduled to debut, read: ‘I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California.’

Flames engulf a structure as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena on January 7

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle speak with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo

Meghan Markle has pushed the release of her new Netflix show to March 4 due to the LA wildfires 

With Love, Meghan reportedly includes tributes to the California-based royal’s home state and her personal ties to it. 

PR experts recently questioned the timing of the release of Meghan’s Netflix cookery show and said it should be postponed amid the wildfires.

They suggested to air it now could come across as ‘insensitive’ and ‘tone deaf’ and cause a fierce backlash against the royal couple. 

UK brand and culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline: ‘I think Netflix bosses will be having to make some big decisions as whether to air With Love, Meghan in the next week.

‘With the show being so centred on California life, Los Angeles and Montecito, providing a glimpse into aspirational and inspirational living, I suspect it will be pulled from its current schedule and delayed for at least a few months.’

A description of the series on Tudum’s website said: ‘Produced by Meghan, With Love, Meghan blends practical how-to’s and candid conversation with friends, new and old.

‘Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection, and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected.

‘She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same.’