2024 was certainly the year for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle critics as the two made blunder after blunder with their endeavors. However, the two ex-royals seem to seek a fresh and positive start to 2025 by going out of their way to help the victims of the recent devasting LA wildfires. As expected, the Sussexes were put on blast for allegedly “getting their faces back on camera” to “improve their image,” but fans have surprisingly come to their defense this time around.
The conversation started when former actress Justine Bateman called out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on X for being “no better than ambulance chasers.” She labeled them as “Disaster Tourists,” accusing them of “touring the damage” for nothing more than a “photo op” for PR’s sake. Naturally, many jumped on the hate train with Bateman, mocking the Duke and Duchess for their “repulsive” and “gross” appearance with the wildfire responders.
While Meghan and Harry’s endeavors are usually met with overwhelming criticism, this time, fans defended the Sussexes and their wildfire relief response. “I’m at a loss as to why you’re so bitter & angry,” a commenter remarks toward Bateman. “Meghan & Harry decided to help the poor people affected by these horrific fires. Unless you expected them to wear burkhas, of course they were going to be recognised & photographed. Life is too short to be this nasty imho.”
“For real? This is your focus? They came to help,” said another, criticizing the Family Ties alum for her negative post. Several users point out that Meghan Markle is originally from LA, so seeing her come to help out victims from her hometown is anything but strange or selfish.
“They were there for hours before anyone in the media even noticed. They helped with food distribution with Chef Andre and whatever else was needed. Why the hate right now? LA is hurting. Meghan is a native, and her mother still lives there. Let people who want to help, help.”
Megyn Kelly Also Boards on the Harry-and-Meghan Hate Train
Justine Bateman wasn’t the only one who used her platform and following to spread hate on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Megyn Kelly, the hostess of The Megyn Kelly Show, took to her podcast to express how the Sussexes “made sure they got on camera” so that “their names got in the press.” She even spoke in support of Bateman, agreeing that the two deserve the title of “Disaster Tourists.”
Unlike Bateman, however, Kelly viciously attacked the ex-royals for their aid to the LA wildfire victims, saying that people “don’t give a s***” about the two. She said that it was both “ridiculous” and “offensive” that Harry and Meghan wanted to give a helping hand to those in need. “You’ll never be king. We hate your wife. Stay at home in your $29 million mansion,” she sneered.
Kelly didn’t stop there but went on to continue reminding her listeners of a past event regarding Meghan flying out to the location of a shooting to “inject herself right in the heart of it on camera, where she knew she would “become the story.” While there might be truth in what Kelly was saying, multiple commenters on Newsbreak didn’t agree with the hostess’ excessive negativity.
“Megyn Kelly, I love you girl, but chill. No one should be attacked for helping out in this horrible situation,” remarks a fan. “It has to be a miserable way of life to go around hating people based on your jealousy,” comments another. “Megyn, it’s time to move on. Find someone new to bully,” chimes in a third.
It’s certainly clear that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did perform quite poorly in the public’s eyes last year. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong for anyone to think that this year won’t be any different for the two. Nevertheless, the hate that Bateman, Kelly, and other critics are spreading is less helpful than what the Sussexes are doing out in LA. Disasters such as the LA wildfires are a time for people to come together and support each other, not a time to add ‘fuel to the fire.’
