Meghan Markle and Prince Harry decide to be in the UK spotlight, a friend of the couple has claimed.
José Andrés, 55, the World Central Kitchen founder, praised the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for stepping out to serve meals, connect with families and donate essential supplies following the devasting Californian wildfires.
Meghan and Harry recently visited a food bank at the Pasadena Convention Centre, on January 10, where they were pictured hugging Andrés, who said he considers the royals as “friends”.
The Sussexes, who live around 90 miles north of the affected area, have longstanding ties to his organisation, according to the chef.
The Californian-based royals have also donated to a charity supporting teenage girls affected by the Los Angeles wildfires and opened their Montecito home to friends and loved ones who have been forced to evacuate.
Andrés said: “I know they are in the spotlight – not in America, but in Britain – and what I can tell you from what I know is that they don’t have to, but they decide to do it.
“You feel like it’s better that nobody does anything because nobody criticises you for showing up, but the amazing thing is that they show up.
“The hugs I saw [them] give to the people that recognise them and even the people that don’t recognise them, it’s people that just want somebody to listen to them and give them a hug.”