How Meghan Markle has stayed emotionally connected to her hometown as she supports California fire victims with Prince Harry
- Meghan Markle, 43, has supported several LA-based causes in recent years
- READ MORE: Meghan and Harry serve meals to LA wildfire survivors but are overlooked by California news anchor who puts focus on embattled governor's wife - as death toll rises to 16 amid Biden's fear more will perish
While now a resident of up-market enclave Montecito, it's well known that Meghan Markle grew up in Los Angeles.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, even revisited her elementary school, LA's famous Hollywood Little Red Schoolhouse, which she attended between the ages of two and 11, in her Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan.
In addition, her now-estranged father Thomas Markle worked in show business, as a television lighting director and director of photography - even winning multiple Emmy Awards as a result. The former Suits actress has spoken about how Thomas would sometimes take her to set, further cementing her credentials as a true Angelino.
Meghan now lives some 90 miles away from the city, in the Montecito mansion she shares with her husband Prince Harry, 40, and their children Archie and Lilibet. However, it seems her connection with LA remains strong, as over recent years, she has carried out a number of charitable activities in the city.
As wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles over recent days, killing 16 people, and burning through almost 14,000 acres, it's currently estimated that around 4,000 to 5,000 structures have also been damaged or destroyed including the homes of Hollywood A-listers.
The Sussexes have rallied around victims by making donations to relief efforts through their Archewell Foundation and have opened their $29million Montecito mansion to loved ones who were forced to evacuate.
Here, FEMAIL looks at how some of the Meghan charity work in recent years suggests that her home city remains close to her heart...
The Sussexes (pictured) issued a statement on the current wildfires raging through LA, as well as handing out food parcels to those affected by the devastating fires at the Pasadena Convention Centre in Los Angeles
Meghan, pictured with her now-estranged father Thomas Markle, was born and raised in Los Angeles
Several days ago, the couple issued a statement on the Californian fires urging people to 'check in' on disabled and elderly neighbours'.
They posted a link to various charities they've previously worked with and asked supporters to 'help those in need'.
Taking to their website, Sussex.com, they said: 'In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centers, and so much more – affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life.
'A state of emergency has been issued.
'If you feel compelled to help, here are some resources and ideas,' they wrote.
They are also encouraging people to 'open their home' to others affected and to donated to American Red Cross.
'If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do. And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating,'
'Some families and people have been left with nothing. Please consider donating clothing, children’s toys & clothing, and other essentials. The American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need.'
Meghan's former Suit's co-star Abigail shared the post to her Instagram, writing: 'Excellent vetted resources for those looking to help'.
They have offered their own home to any friends who may be in need of a place to stay.
On Friday, the former senior royals made a surprise appearance at a food bank as they comforted victims and first responders amid the ongoing fires.
They were handing out food parcels to those affected by the devastating fires at the Pasadena Convention Centre in Los Angeles, which is being used as an evacuation centre.
The couple were spotted hugging José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen, which has been distributing free hot meals to the public and emergency crews in the wake of the wildfires.
Meghan, who was dressed in a light blue shirt and blue baseball cap, and Harry, who donned a black baseball cap and black polo shirt, also took time to speak with the Mayor of Pasadena Victor Gordo.
The couple were keen to provide any support they could, according to the Mayor, saying they were 'great people' with 'great personalities'.
'They really buoyed the spirits of the first responders. We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl and people were very happy to see them,' the Mayor added.
The interaction was broadcast live on Fox News, with news anchor Susan Hirasuna later being slammed online for describing Meghan as 'Princess Markle'. She also received criticism for saying Meghan was 'hanging out with the commoners'.
Reading to children at LA children's hospital
In March 2024, Meghan visited he Children's Hospital Los Angeles where she read to young patients (pictured in March 2023)
In March last year, pictures were shared of Meghan entertaining young patients at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles with a storytime session. She picked a personal favourite for the occasion.
Meghan led a 'Literally Healing' session and top of the list was Rosie Revere, Engineer, a book by US author Andrea Beaty which Meghan, 42, was first spotted reading in September to the children of Invictus Games athletes in Dusseldorf.
Beaty is known for writing books that encourage young girls to enjoy STEM subjects - Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and also wrote Ada Twist, Scientist, which was adapted by Netflix.
Rosie Revere, Engineer was one of a series of books the Duchess spent reading out loud during the visit to the California hospital, which lies a 90-minute drive from her Montecito home.
'Children were laughing and singing as The Duchess turned into character with every page as she read patient favourite books like Rosie the Riveter, Pete the Cat and I Saw a Cat', read an official statement on the visit.
Photos and footage show Meghan also shared hugs with the children and staff, as well as taking photographs with them.
Meghan's storytime was part of the Make March Matter campaign, an annual fundraiser at the hospital that aims to create hope and build healthier futures with the help of 'celebrities, business and the greater community'.
Handing out free supplies during Covid
Meghan is pictured volunteering with Baby2Baby at Dr Owen Lloyd Knox Elementary School in Los Angeles, issuing free supplies to people who needed them during the pandemic (seen in August 20202)
In June, Meghan worked with Homeboy Industries, a community social justice organisation based in the Los Angeles area
Meghan and Harry volunteered for several food charities in Los Angeles during the pandemic in 2020, handing out meals to those who needed them.
Speaking in a pre-taped messaged aired in December that year, she said: 'Tonight, we are celebrating these quiet heroes, some of whom I know and others that we applaud from afar. We know the value of food; as nourishment, as a life source.
'And in the moments of crisis, the warmth of a meal can feel as comforting as a much-needed hug - especially in the absence of human contact due to the social distancing we're all experiencing.'
'In a year that has been universally challenging for everyone, I'm inspired by the stories of compassion in our communities. Across the country, people have put their own needs aside to come together and support the collective well-being of those around them.
'Back in March, the Covid-19 crisis hit hard, and overnight everything seemed to change. For many families, the impact of the pandemic has been catastrophic, and far too many were faced with the heartbreaking question: How am I going to put food on the table for my family?'
She highlighted a surge in hunger in the country, sparked by rising unemployment and the inability for vulnerable populations - like the elderly and at-risk residents - to safely get enough food for themselves.
'But in the face of this devastating reality, we also saw the power of the human spirit and the remarkable ways that communities respond in challenging times. We saw the good in people, in our neighbours and in entire communities coming together to say they would not stand by while our neighbors went hungry.'
'These individuals stood up and made sure the most basic needs of our communities were met. They made sure those around them did not have to suffer in isolation. They nourished their neighbors in more ways than one.
'And they showed us, all of us, that even in the darkest times, when we come together, we have the power to remind someone else that there is hope, and that we will be okay.'
In April she and Harry helped distribute meals for Project Angel Food, a non-profit that prepares and delivers meals to people living with critical illnesses who face greater risks during the pandemic.
In June, the couple worked with Homeboy Industries, a community social justice organisation that helps the formerly incarcerated and former gang members.
They joined the group’s participants working in a café and bakery and helped them make food for the #FeedHOPE program which distributes meals to seniors and youth who face food insecurity sparked by the pandemic.
The couple helped bake bread, fold dough and organise food boxes for distribution.
Then in August the couple handed out boxes of supplies, clothes and nappies at a drive-thru event with Baby2baby, a non-profit dedicated to helping families in need.
Creating 'pop-up' baby boutique for homeless pregnant women
Women at the Harvest Home LA, which Meghan visited in March 2023, hosting a lunch and making a donation
In March 2023, Meghan celebrated International Women's Day with a visit to a homeless shelter for pregnant women, called Harvest Home, handing out essential supplies to expectant mothers on behalf of her Archewell Foundation.
She was pictured beaming as she visited the Los Angeles shelter, wearing a Harvest Home t-shirt. In a $4,000 black cashmere Max Mara coat worn over black cropped trousers and a black woollen sweater, the former senior royal and her team at Archewell distributed baby gifts.
A statement published on the Sussex's Archewell website on the day of the visit said: 'Today, The Archewell Foundation celebrated International Women's Day with a visit to Harvest Home.
'This valuable organization helps provide housing, mental well-being support, and classes to expectant mothers who have faced tremendous challenges including domestic violence, substance use and homelessness. Since being founded in 1985, Harvest Home has supported over 600 pregnant women and their children.
'As an advocate for women's rights and supporter of mothers and families in need, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex and the Archewell team celebrated the women of Harvest Home by creating a pop up baby boutique, hosting lunch from a female owned restaurant, and making a donation to the organization.
'Happy International Women's day to all of you! Whether donating your time, funds, or helping a woman in your community, let's all celebrate the women in our lives today and every day!'
In 2021, the Sussexes organised a delivery of nappies to the charity, arranging for a range of Pampers products for different age groups to be delivered to Harvest Home.
The delivery was arranged with the help of Procter & Gamble, with whom the couple had previously agreed a multi-year global partnership. It was thought to be the first initiative resulting from the partnership since it was announced in May that year.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arranged for a range of Pampers products for different age groups to be delivered to Los Angeles-based group Harvest Home
Collaborating with UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry research
In December 2020, it was announced that Meghan and Harry's Archewell foundation would be establishing a fund for the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry research, which champions racial and economic justice in the tech sector.
In a press release announcing the move, Dr. Safiya U. Noble, co-director of the center said: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are deeply committed to using their light to illuminate the problems of inequality and structural racism.
'We have a shared commitment and sense of urgency in making a more compassionate world, much of which is undermined by internet platforms. I know what they stand for and share in their mission. We look forward to lending our research expertise and networks to our mutual work on the most pressing issues of Internet policy and culture that are accelerating racial, gender, and economic inequity.'
Dr. Safiya U. Noble is the author of a book called Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism, which looks at how negative biases against women of color are embedded in search engine results and algorithms.
The Sussexes said in the release: 'From the moment we started reading `Algorithms of Oppression,' we had a deep appreciation and respect for Dr. Safiya Noble and her critical work.
'That respect has only grown throughout the year as we collaborated. We have a common mission - rooted in justice, compassion and improving the state of the digital world - and we're proud to call the Center for Critical Internet Inquiry an Archewell Foundation partner.'
The couple have long been outspoken critics of social media, and have called for tighter regulations around what people can say online.
