The couple, now residents of Montecito, traveled to the Pasadena Convention Centre on Friday to assist in distributing food parcels and offering comfort to evacuees, alongside Jennifer Newsom, wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, have been actively involved in relief efforts, contributing through their Archewell Foundation and even opening their $29 million Montecito estate to those displaced by the fires.
Their visit, which included Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, allowed them to witness both the destruction and the resilience of those affected.
One particularly moving moment occurred when Harry quietly stepped away from the group. When Gordo found him, he was seen speaking to an elderly man, offering him a sandwich, fruit, or water.
However, the man had a different request: “What I’d really like is a donut,” he said, according to Gordo, as reported by the Pasadena Star News. Without hesitation, Harry promised, “There’s no donut here, but I will find one.” True to his word, Harry returned ten minutes later with a donut in hand. The elderly man, still unaware of Harry’s identity, chuckled and said, “I guess I need my carbs and my sugar.”
Despite the thoughtful gesture, Harry remained anonymous, but the man was clearly appreciative. “If you ever run for anything, I’ll vote for you!” he joked.
Throughout the visit, Meghan and Harry took a hands-on approach, serving meals and conversing with survivors, many of whom had lost everything. They were also seen greeting their friend and humanitarian partner, José Andrés, the renowned chef behind World Central Kitchen, which has been providing hot meals to displaced residents and emergency responders.
The Archewell Foundation has supported his initiative since 2020, and Meghan even contributed her lemon olive oil cake recipe to The World Central Kitchen: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope in 2023.
Meghan, wearing a light blue shirt and a blue LA Dodgers cap, and Harry, dressed casually in a black polo and matching baseball cap, spent time with Mayor Gordo, who later praised their efforts. “They are great people with great personalities,” he said. “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.”
The wildfires, which have devastated parts of Los Angeles, have claimed at least 16 lives and scorched nearly 14,000 acres, destroying thousands of structures, including the homes of some Hollywood celebrities.
Governor Gavin Newsom has faced criticism for his handling of the crisis, with President-elect Donald Trump among those questioning the state’s response.
President Joe Biden called the disaster “like a war scene,” warning that the death toll could rise. LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone echoed those concerns, noting that high winds and low humidity would keep the fire threat severe until mid-week.
