“Using the pain and suffering of others": new celebrities criticize Meghan and Harry's visit to California wildfire victims

At the start of 2025, the state of California is facing an unprecedented wave of wildfires, which have ravaged thousands of homes around Los Angeles. Several upscale neighborhoods have been affected, and many celebrities have been forced to evacuate, some seeing their homes go up in smoke.

Amid the turmoil, a number of celebrities decided to return to the burnt-out areas to help the victims. Among them, the Sussex couple, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple visited those affected in Los Angeles on January 11. The visit was yet another opportunity for observers to criticize the couple for their alleged good deeds.

Actress Justine Bateman was initially very critical of the visit, the day after the appearance. A few days later, other celebrities took aim at the couple. British singer Kelly Osbourne, for example, posted a video on her Instagram account, which she eventually deleted. “Is it just me being my usual, overly cynical and thoughtful self, or is it really disturbing to see all these celebrities using other people's pain and suffering as a photo op,” she asked her followers.

TikTok-loving journalist Candace Owens, meanwhile, took direct aim at the Sussex couple. “It looked like they were both really trying to be helpful. I saw Meghan Markle bend down and take the lid off a plastic garbage can. Do they really want to get their hands dirty?” she quipped. “If you see plastic garbage cans that need picking up, you can contact your girlfriend Meghan Markle,” she concluded wryly. This is yet another blow for Meghan and Harry, who are already often the target of ridicule since their exile in the United States.