Meghan Markle and Prince Harry decide to be in the UK spotlight, according to a friend of the couple.
José Andrés, 55, the World Central Kitchen founder, praised the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for stepping out to serve meals, connect with families and donate essential supplies following the devasting Californian wildfires.
Meghan and Harry recently visited a food bank at the Pasadena Convention Centre, on January 10, where they were pictured hugging Andrés, who said he considers the royals as “friends.”
The Sussexes, who live around 90 miles north of the affected area, have longstanding ties to his organisation, according to the chef.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry decide to be in the UK spotlight, according to a friend of the couple
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The Californian-based royals have also donated to a charity supporting teenage girls affected by the Los Angeles wildfires and opened their Montecito home to friends and loved ones who have been forced to evacuate.
Andrés said: “I know they are in the spotlight – not in America, but in Britain – and what I can tell you from what I know is that they don’t have to, but they decide to do it.”
“You feel like it’s better that nobody does anything because nobody criticises you for showing up, but the amazing thing is that they show up.”
“The hugs I saw [them] give to the people that recognise them and even the people that don’t recognise them, it’s people that just want somebody to listen to them and give them a hug.”
Andrés considers the royals as friends
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Andrés shared his appreciation for all the volunteers who helped support the community in a conversation with People Magazine.
He said: “I’m just glad that they show up like so many others.
“The joy they bring to the people, the joy they bring to the first responders or the people that lost everything… and to see those celebrities giving hugs and crying with the people when some of those celebrities lost their homes — they could be home, but they are there.
“And I think anybody that does anything, celebrity or not, only they will always forever get my applause and my recognition.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out to serve meals, connect with families and donate essential supplies following the devesting Californian wildfires
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The chef told the publication: “[They] may be celebrities, but in those moments, they are one more person willing to do absolutely anything for anybody.
“So, for everybody that was able to show up even for an hour, for me, they’re amazing people because they don’t have to because some of them, they are suffering the consequences, maybe, of the fire.
“But there they are and they don’t do it where there are cameras, they’re doing it where there is nobody.
“That makes it very special.”
