Meghan Markle Faces Backlash Over LA Wildfire Visit

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Meghan Markle and Prince Harry faced criticism following their visit to Los Angeles wildfire victims last Friday, with conservative commentator Candace Owens and actress Justine Bateman leading the charge against the couple.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex toured areas affected by the wildfires, meeting with World Central Kitchen staff and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo. However, their efforts were met with skepticism, as critics questioned the authenticity of their involvement.

Owens mocked Markle in a TikTok clip, highlighting a moment when the Duchess removed the lid of a plastic bin. “She stooped down and she picked up the lid of a plastic bin,” Owens said. “And that’s how I knew my girl was real. It’s very helpful for her to stoop down and do that.” Owens later told Newsweek that she agreed with public sentiment labeling the couple as “inauthentic ambulance chasers.”

Bateman, known for her role in *Family Ties*, took to Twitter to criticize the visit, calling the couple “Disaster Tourists.” She tweeted, “Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers. What a repulsive ‘photo op’ they achieved.” In an interview with Piers Morgan, Bateman questioned their motives, asking, “I don’t know why they were walking over possible human remains.”

Despite the backlash, a source close to the couple defended their actions, telling Page Six, “It’s offensive to Meghan and Harry that anybody would think this is merely a photo opportunity.” The insider emphasized that Markle’s “heart is completely broken for all the lives that have been lost and for those whose homes have been destroyed.”

The controversy comes as Markle postponed the launch of her Netflix cooking show, *With Love, Meghan*, citing the wildfires as a reason for the delay. The show, originally set to debut earlier this month, will now premiere on March 4.

Owens’ TikTok clip, which garnered 550,000 views and 27,000 likes, sparked mixed reactions. While some users criticized the relentless scrutiny of Markle, others echoed Owens’ sentiments. One commenter wrote, “The Meghan Markle hate is ridiculous,” while another questioned the focus on a single moment of volunteer work.

The Sussexes’ visit to the wildfire zone marks another chapter in their ongoing struggle to reshape their public image since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Their efforts to engage in humanitarian work have often been met with skepticism, particularly from conservative critics in both the U.S. and the U.K.