The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who reside in Montecito near Santa Barbara, approximately 90 miles from Los Angeles, actively supported wildfire victims.
They joined Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California’s First Partner, at the evacuation center to hand out food parcels.
Mayor Victor Gordo accompanied them during the visit. They engaged directly with survivors, offering support through donations and words of encouragement.
Their Archewell Foundation also made significant contributions to relief efforts, and the couple opened their $29 million Montecito mansion to evacuees.
Prince Harry’s touching moment with an elderly man
A particularly heartwarming incident highlighted Prince Harry’s empathy. Mayor Gordo shared that he briefly lost track of Harry during the visit, only to witness a remarkable act of kindness.
Harry approached an elderly man and asked if he needed anything to eat.
The man, unaware of Harry’s identity, replied, “What I’d really like is a donut.” Harry, determined to help, responded, “There’s no donut here, but I will find one.”
Harry left the evacuation center and returned ten minutes later with a donut. The man, surprised and delighted, joked, “I guess I need my carbs and my sugar.” The interaction remained anonymous until later, with the gentleman quipping, “If you ever run for anything, I’ll vote for you!”
Meghan and Harry visit first responders and affected families
The couple also toured burnt-out neighborhoods in Pasadena and Altadena to witness the devastation firsthand. They spoke with families who had lost their homes, offering both comfort and support.
At the command post in the Rose Bowl, Meghan and Harry spent time with first responders.
Mayor Gordo praised their genuine and down-to-earth nature, stating, “They buoyed the spirits of the first responders. People were very happy to see them.”
Gordo emphasized that the couple’s efforts were not for publicity, as they kept their masks on and worked anonymously to serve food during an earlier visit to the evacuation center.
