Meghan Markle didn’t think twice about postponing this week’s edition of her new show, With love, Meghan, amid a series of wildfires ravaging her hometown of Los Angeles.
January 12, three days before With love was set to debut on Netflix on January 15, the Duchess of Sussex announced that the premiere has been pushed back to March 4 due to the devastation caused by the wildfires. Meghan and Prince Harry spent last Friday volunteering in Pasadena, California to help victims of the Eaton fire.
Meghan’s decision to postpone her fashion show has been widely supported. In response to critics who questioned her motives for delaying the launch, an industry insider reveals the decision was an “easy one”, fueled by her genuine concern for her hometown and those affected by the fires.
“Release delay With love, Meghan it was probably an easy decision for her. I don’t think she could imagine airing a show focused on cheering and hosting when so many people in her home country no longer have homes to host people,” an industry insider told PEOPLE. “I think it’s sad that critics are saying she’s only doing it how would avoid the fires that would overshadow her show. We are all human and we face disaster.”
Meghan Markle with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo at a home that was destroyed during the Eaton fire in Altadena on January 10, 2025.
Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry talk about fires in Los Angeles, encourage relief efforts
Meghan was born and raised in LA, and she and Prince Harry live about 90 miles north of the Los Angeles area in Montecito with their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. PEOPLE previously confirmed that Harry and Meghan opened their home, friends and loved ones were forced to evacuate due to the fire, and the couple hit the ground running on January 10 to volunteer at the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena, distributing food and supplies to those who affected by the Eaton fire.
Contrary to some reports that their visit was short, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent the day volunteering in Pasadena, where they focused on discreetly supporting fire relief efforts, hearing harrowing stories and witnessing community spirit. They donated essentials, served meals with World Central Kitchen (a long-time partner of their charity Archewell Foundation) and spent time with families and seniors.
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Prince Harry and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo at a home that was destroyed in the Eaton fire in Altadena on January 10, 2025.
Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty
Along with California First Partner Jennifer Siebel News and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, the couple shared their gratitude to first responders, including LA County firefighters and police.
Speaking later to FOX 11 Los Angeles, Gordo said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made an impression on everyone they met.
“They’re great people, great personalities and a big heart to come here and meet the first responders, meet the people who were affected,” Gordo told the local newspaper. “It’s very important. They really cheered up the first responders.”
We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl and people were very happy to see them, the mayor said. “They want to be as helpful as they can … we visited some of the affected families in some of the burned areas in Pasadena and Altadena. They took the time to meet the people who were affected and spent time. They’re just very caring people who are very worried about their friends and neighbors.”
On January 9, Meghan and Prince Harry’s office shared a statement on how people can get involved in the humanitarian effort and set out to help the next day.
On Sunday, the Duchess of Sussex said she was delaying the release of her TV series amid the wildfires and with the full support of Netflix.
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(left) “Love, Meghan” on Netflix; (Right) Meghan Markle at the Paley Honors Fall Gala honoring Tyler Perry in Beverly Hills, California on December 4, 2024.
Courtesy of Netflix; Leon Bennett/FilmMagic
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“I am grateful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch while we focus on the needs of those affected by the wildfires in my home state of California,” Meghan said in a Jan. 12 statement.
With love, Meghan it was filmed in Montecito and pays tribute to the beauty of Southern California. The series shows how the Duchess of Sussex pursues her longtime passions of cooking, creating and entertaining, welcoming old and new friends in eight episodes.
Click here to learn more about how to help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.
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Source: HIS Education