PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance in Los Angeles to meet victims of the devastating wildfires.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex served food and donated toys and essentials to victims outside the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena.
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Meghan Markle, right, speaks with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo alongside Prince HarryCredit: AP
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Harry and Meghan Markle appear at World Central Kitchen in Pasadena Credit: Fox 11
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Harry talks to the folks at World Central Kitchen in Pasadena Credit: Fox 11
The pair were filmed talking to members of the community who were victims of the Eaton wildfire – one of six devastating wildfires currently raging in LA.
The out-of-control Eaton Fire has now destroyed up to 5,000 homes as the blaze spread to nearly 14,000 acres on Thursday.
Harry and Meghan were reportedly joined by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has come under fire for her handling of the destruction.
They also visited the Pasadena Rose Bowl where they met and thanked Fire Chief Marrone and his team from the LA County Fire Department, Hello magazine reported.
read more about the wildfires in LA
Speaking to Fox News, Mayor Victor Gordo said: “[Harry and Meghan] they want to be as helpful as they can and really just want to be supportive.”
He added that the couple visited some of the burned homes in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke with those who lost their homes.
It comes after Harry and Meghan, who live 90 miles away from the chaos, broke their silence on the “apocalyptic” wildfires that have engulfed a number of Los Angeles mansions.
They posted on their website: “In the past few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and destroyed families, homes, schools, medical care centers and more – affecting tens of thousands of people from all walks of life.”
The Sussexes added: “If a friend, loved one or pet must evacuate and you can offer them a safe haven in your home, please do so.”
They are also believed to have made financial donations to humanitarian funds through the Archwell Foundation.
Harry and Meghan’s 16-bedroom mansion, which also boasts a two-bedroom guesthouse, suffered a power cut during the bushfires.
The Sussexes have also invited friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate to their home, it is understood.
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A home is under threat as the Palisades Fire grows in the mountains in the community of Topanga, CaliforniaCredit: AFP
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The famous Sunset Boulevard burned in the Palisades fireCredit: Getty
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Fire crews battle the Kenneth fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles Credit: AP
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The devastation of the Palisades fire is visible in the early morning Credit: AP
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Palm trees burn as strong winds fuel devastating firesCredit: Reuters
WORST FIRE IN LA HISTORY
Raging wildfires rage through Los Angeles – killing 11 people and destroying 10,000 homes.
Uncontrolled flames have been raging in neighborhoods for days while fierce winds threaten to fan the infernal precipices.
The Palisade – the largest of the six fires currently burning – has destroyed more than 5,000 homes and structures in its path.
A wildfire on Tuesday was said to have sparked the Palisades wildfire, which had grown to more than 15,000 acres by the next morning.
So far, the devastating fire has burned more than 21,000 acres and thousands of homes, businesses and other iconic landmarks in LA.
The latest updates on the devastating LA fires:
- Palisades: At least 21,596 acres, 8% restricted
- Eaton: At least 14,117 acres, 3% restricted
- Kenneth: At least 1052 acres, 50% restricted
- Hurst: At least 771 hectares, 70% restricted
- Lidia: At least 395 hectares, 98% restricted
- Sagittarius: At least 19 acres, 0% capped
Authorities have now turned previous evacuation warnings into mandatory orders, urging people to leave the area from Sunset Boulevard north to Encino Reservoir.
So far, only eight percent of the Palisades fire has been contained.
Other fires in the region include the SunSet Fire, which is ravaging the Hollywood Hills.
Neighborhoods were reduced to ashes, with celebrities including John Goodman and Leighton Meester watching their tiles burn.
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A man hugs a family member and cries as he looks at the remains of his home after the fire in EatonCredit: AFP
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A man reacts as he searches the remains of his father’s beach property ravaged by fire after the Palisades fireCredit: AP
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A view of the remains of buildings destroyed by the Palisades Fire in Malibu Los Angeles Credit: EPA
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Waterfront properties were left smoldering after the Palisades fireCredit: AP
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After the Eaton fire, cars were left burned in the dealership Credit: AP
The Kenneth Fire, another raging inferno, prompted mass evacuations in Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
The investigation is being conducted as arson – one suspect has been arrested.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said parts of the city “looked like a bomb had been dropped” – calling the fires a “crisis”.
The devastating fires are set to have a costly impact on the city and its residents – private forecaster Accuweather estimates the total damage and economic loss to be up to $150 billion.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has deployed more than 1,400 firefighters, with additional teams arriving from neighboring states, but the battle to contain the flames is far from over.
Meanwhile, satellite images revealed entire blocks of homes in Los Angeles burned to the ground in wildfires.
The footage shows before, during and after the wildfires burned LA homes and celebrity enclaves and caused thousands to flee.
Some of these homes belong to celebrities, with Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Miles Teller and Anthony Hopkins among those who lost their residences.
The wind-fueled flames did not spare the homes of the rich and famous with Hollywood A-listers tragically seeing their homes reduced to smoldering ruins.
These include supermodel Bella Hadid, Spencer Pratt and Oscar winner Mel Gibson.
Other celebrities such as Tom Hanks, 68, and Steven Spielberg, 78, narrowly escaped the fires.
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Mel Gibson’s Malibu home destroyed in Palisades fire Credit: MEga Agency
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Mel Gibson’s rustic Malibu home before the fire Credit: Backgrid
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Paris Hilton’s Malibu Beach House Destroyed in Palisades Fire Credit: Mega Agency
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Spencer Pratt was spotted at his home in Pacific Palisades Credit: Mega Agency
Meanwhile, Mandy Moore has told trolls to “fuck off” after she asked for donations to help her relatives who lost their home in the LA fires.
The This Is Us star has hit back online after facing backlash for sharing a GoFundMe campaign for her brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
Moore’s sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Griffin, lost their home and possessions, including Griffin’s collection of drums and percussion instruments, from which he made a living.
Despite losing part of her own home, Moore faced criticism online, with some accusing her of not doing enough to help her family financially.
“People asking if we’re helping our own family or crediting the arbitrary amount of money Google says someone has is NOT helpful or compassionate,” Moore said in an Instagram post.
“Of course we are. Our friend Matt started this GoFundMe, and I’m sharing it because people have been asking how I can help them.
“We just lost most of our lives in a fire too. Kindly F OFF. No one is forcing you to do anything.”
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Moore’s house came dangerously close to being engulfed in flames, but was spared Credit: BackGrid
‘War Zone’ LA Feels ‘Broken’ As Fires Still Rage City – But We Will Rebuild
US Sun Associate Exclusives Editor Katy Forrester is an LA resident who witnessed the horror first hand as the flames engulfed the city. She said the city felt like a “war zone.”
EVERY year, Los Angeles prepares for wildfires. It is not uncommon to see flames burning up hills and even houses burning to the ground.
But many residents have never witnessed anything as devastating as this week. And it’s not even close to over.
I spent some time near Pacific Palisades, where thick smoke filled the air, and I saw desperate families fleeing the city while others begged police to allow them access to their properties as roads were blocked.
“Everything is gone” was heard many times, because thousands of people were left without homes and few possessions.
I was lucky that only my home was without power, but I will never forget what I witnessed while traveling around the city.
It was like a war zone.
During my visit to the shelter, I spoke with a resident who has lived in his home for almost 30 years and is fighting cancer. He stayed long after he was told to pack up and go.
It wasn’t until the flames started leaping around his building that he finally picked up his things and ran outside.
I was reporting from Altadena, where buildings were still burning and several fire engines were in sight as emergency services were overwhelmed.
Cars and school buses were completely engulfed in flames, and heartbroken families stood around in shock, unable to comprehend what had happened.
As the sun was setting, I made my way back home toward downtown, which I thought was safe, until I saw orange flames leaping behind buildings just minutes from my house.
I got sick. I’ve never seen wildfires so close to Hollywood, and suddenly the phones were flashing with emergency notifications to evacuate the area.
Traffic lights and streetlights were out, and areas full of trees downed by strong winds became blocked.
I feel extremely lucky to live a few minutes outside the evacuation zone, but friends have panicked and fled their homes.
Although many around the world will just shrug their shoulders when they hear that rich people have lost their homes, the reality is quite different.
The city as a whole feels broken, everyone has gone through hell, from single mothers to the elderly.
And people are angry.
Dozens spoke of having their insurance policies canceled just months before the fire, while others were concerned about alleged corruption and mismanagement.
Maybe they’re angry. But they also have hope. The people of Los Angeles are strong.
We will get through this. And we will rebuild.
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