Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'offended' by 'disaster tourists' claim
The couple, who live 90 miles away from the Californian city in Montecito near Santa Barbara, were spotted on Friday handing out food packages and speaking to survivors of the wildfires.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle feel 'offended' following Justine Bateman's disparaging comments about their efforts to help with the Los Angeles wildfires, it has been reported.Â
The couple, who live 90 miles away from the Californian city in Montecito near Santa Barbara, were spotted on Friday handing out food packages and speaking to survivors of the wildfires.
But Hollywood actress Bateman, 58, took to X/Twitter to blast the couple as 'disaster tourists' after they were spotted in footage dressed in plain clothes and speaking with victims and other helpers - and said they were only there for a 'photo op'.Â
Now, sources have told PageSix that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex find her comments 'offensive' and Meghan's heart is 'broken' due to her close ties with LA, including growing up in the area.Â
The source told the outlet:Â 'It's offensive to Meghan and Harry that anybody would think this is merely a photo opportunity.
'Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles so this is, and always will be, home to her.'
They added that Meghan, 43, is 'not just 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'.Â
The former working royals were spotted in a clip out and about at an evacuation centre - just hours before it was confirmed the death toll of the blazes had climbed to 24.Â
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly find Justine Bateman's disparaging claims about them 'offensive'. Pictured volunteering at the LA wildfires
Bateman, 58, took to X/Twitter to blast the couple who were seen in footage dressed in plain clothes and speaking with other helpers. Bateman wrote: 'Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers'
They also opened their home in Montecito to victims and donated money and essential items, it was reported. Â
Family Ties star 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?Â
'They don't live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists.'
FEMAIL has reached out to representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment. Â
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.
But 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.
Meghan Markle was spotted comforting victims and first responders at an evacuation centre, on Friday amid the ongoing fires in LA
Meghan and Harry pictured with other volunteers after helping LA wildfire victims
Meghan Markle speaks with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, center, and Doug Goodwin, who's home was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, in Altadena
Flames near the Mandeville Canyon on January 11
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 JosĂŠ AndrĂŠs, the founder of World Central Kitchen, which is distributing free hot meals to the public and emergency crews in the wake of the wildfires.  Â
The interaction was broadcast live on FOX LA, with news anchor Susan Hirasuna later being slammed online for describing Meghan as 'Princess Markle'.Â
She also received criticism 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 burnt out houses in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke to those who had lost their homes.
 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
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
'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.Â
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.Â
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 came after Meghan 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. Â
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
Meghan is seen consolling JosĂŠ AndrĂŠs, the founder of World Central Kitchen, as they made an appearance at the Pasadena Convention Centre on FridayÂ
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 wildfiresÂ
With Love, Meghan reportedly includes tributes to the California-based royal's home state and her personal ties to it.Â
PR experts had 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.Â
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.'
, a woman known as the âwitchâ who was chased away from a village after all the men who fell in love with her died, and Dong Jin (GOT7âs Jinyoung), a man who tries to rescue her from the mysterious pattern of death.
Roh Jeong Eui plays Mi Jung, a mysterious woman labeled as a âwitchâ who has cut ties with the world around her. Since childhood, she has been shadowed by death and misfortune as every man who fell in love with her has ended up hurt or dead. Overwhelmed by this stigma, Mi Jung hides away from the world.
The newly unveiled stills capture Mi Jungâs haunting solitude. Clad in all-black attire with her hat pulled low, she exudes an air of defensiveness, warding off anyone who might approach. Yet, her wistful gaze at the falling snowflakes reveals a longing to break free from her isolation and reconnect with the world.
Director Kim Tae Kyun praised Roh Jeong Eui's portrayal, highlighting her perfect synchronization with the character. The director remarked, âWhen the casting meeting with Roh Jeong Eui was first arranged, it felt like Mi Jung herself had walked into the room. During the test shoot, she immersed herself so deeply in the role that not just me but the entire staff exclaimed, âItâs Mi Jung!â That's how much she [perfectly] embodies the character.â
âThe Witchâ will premiere on February 15 at 9:10 p.m. KST following the conclusion of âCheck in Hanyang.â Stay tuned!
While waiting, watch Roh Jeong Eui in âDear.Mâ below:
[viki-watchnow url=https://www.viki.com/tv/37628c-dearm]
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