According to their friend José Andrés, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry “show up” when it matters, regardless of the cameras or criticism they may face.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who live in Montecito, California, about 90 miles north of the LA area – have been quietly helping with wildfire relief efforts as the blazes rage through Southern California, donating essential supplies, reaching out with affected families and serve meals with World Central Kitchen (WCK).
Andrés is “just happy that they showed up like so many others,” he told PEOPLE at the Cayman Cookout at the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman.
“I mean, listen, I consider them friends,” the 55-year-old WCK founder and restaurateur says of the pair, who have longstanding ties to his organization. “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 do that, but they decide to do it .”
Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty
On Jan. 10, Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, visited WCK’s Pasadena location to help distribute food and supplies to the victims of the Eaton fire, assistance that The Bazaar owner and Zaytinya said was “great.” mentioned.
“You probably feel like it’s better that no one does anything, because no one criticizes you for showing up — but the amazing thing is that they show up,” says Andrés. “The hugs I saw [them] give to the people they recognize and even to the people they don’t recognize, they are people who just want someone to listen to them and give them a hug.”
The chef adds, “I’m just happy they’re showing up like so many others.”
Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty
Like another famous friend of WCK’s who assisted WCK in firefighting efforts in the LA area, Jennifer Garner, Meghan and Harry were there to help, not for media attention, Andrés explains.
“The joy that they bring to the people, the joy that they bring to the first responders, or the people who have lost everything… and to see those celebrities giving hugs and crying with the people when some of those celebrities left their homes lost – they could be at home, but they are there,” he tells PEOPLE. “And I think anyone who does anything, celebrity or not, will only ever get my applause and my recognition.”
Some of the people who assist WCK and other relief efforts, he continues, “may be celebrities, but in those moments they are another person willing to do absolutely anything for anyone.”
“So for anyone who could show up for even an hour, to me they’re great people because they don’t have to do that because some of them might be suffering from the effects of the fire,” he says. “But there they are and they don’t do it where there are cameras, they do it where no one is.”
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“And that,” he adds, “makes it very special.”
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Speaking about the help Meghan and Harry provided “anonymously” to wildfire victims, as well as first responders and others affected, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo told local news channel FOX 11 that the couple “really lifted the spirits of first responders . ”
“They want to be as helpful as they can be… we visited some of the affected families in some of the burned areas in Pasadena and Altadena,” Gordo continued. “They took the time to meet the people who were affected and they are just very caring people who are concerned about their friends and neighbors.”
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In the wake of the bushfires, Meghan, born and raised in LA, has also postponed the release of her new Netflix series With love, Meghana decision that received broad support. However, in response to those who criticized or questioned her motives, an industry insider revealed that the choice was “easy”, driven by her genuine concern for her hometown and those affected by the fires.
“Delaying the release of With love, Meghan was probably an easy decision for her. I don’t think she can imagine launching a show that’s all about fun and hosting when so many people in her home state no longer have homes to host people in,” the insider said. “I think it’s sad that critics say they’re only doing this to keep the fires from overshadowing her show. We are all human and we are dealing with a catastrophe.”
Click here to learn more about how you can help the victims of the LA fires.