Meghan Markle has once again managed to make headlines, and not for the right reasons. I'm talking about her and Harry's latest outing to survey fire damage in Altadena and Pasadena.
This seemed like the perfect opportunity to assemble a camera crew, slap on a pair of face masks, and make it appear as if their mere presence would somehow miraculously rebuild homes. After all, why actually help when you can just look like you’re doing something? Meghan and Harry arrived, hands clasped, faces solemn, looking so deeply emotional. Well, if by emotional, you mean the kind of face one puts on when you know the cameras are rolling.
The duo spent a mere 45 minutes touring a neighborhood ravaged by fire, and what did they actually do? Nothing. They didn’t touch anything, they didn’t contribute in any meaningful way, yet they made sure to alert the press. The media, as expected, buzzed around them as if it were a royal coronation. Reporters fawned over them like they were some kind of charitable saints. The cherry on top? One reporter referred to Meghan as "Princess Markle." Princess? When did that happen? Did I miss the memo or the secret ceremony where Meghan decided to crown herself Princess of Pi? Last time I checked, she’s still the Duchess of Sussex. What kind of journalism is this?
To make matters worse, the reporter casually mentioned that they were "alerted earlier to the fact that they were here." Oh, Rachel. This entire PR stunt seemed far less about helping the victims of the fire and more about Meghan’s attempt to rub elbows with real celebrities—the kind who actually show up and do the hard work, like José Andrés, who’s out there feeding people, or the mayor of Pasadena, who at least appears to be doing his job. Meanwhile, Meghan is prancing around, hoping that some A-listers will spot her and invite themselves to stay at her mansion. Oh, Meghan. We saw you hugging a few volunteers—can we stay in your house now? Because that’s totally what disaster relief is about, right?
The couple was seen chatting with a handful of city officials, but it seemed like their primary focus was making sure the cameras caught them doing absolutely nothing. How else can you grab the spotlight without lifting a finger? Throw on a Cartier bracelet, offer a few hugs, look somber and concerned—it's the perfect recipe for PR gold. Except, it’s not. It’s just embarrassing.
Let’s also talk about the bodyguards for a moment. Was there a legitimate threat to their safety in Altadena? Or were they just there for the cameras? They were in a small crowd, not exactly surrounded by throngs of adoring fans, so why the need for backup? Oh, right—because Meghan needs to feel constantly surrounded by an aura of importance. God forbid she be seen without a security detail, or heaven forbid, not be the center of attention. While everyone else is out there providing real resources and relief to fire victims, Meghan is busy playing the role of "look at me, I care." The sad part is, it’s painfully obvious to everyone that this is just a charade.
Is this what we’re calling charity now? Focusing on public relations while other people are doing the heavy lifting? Let’s be clear: Meghan Markle and Harry have perfected the art of the grift. If there’s an opportunity to be seen doing the bare minimum in front of a camera, you can bet they’ll seize it. They’re not out there building homes or helping in any real way; they're simply out there trying to get a photo op that makes them look like they care. But no one’s fooled. Meghan Markle might want to remember that real help isn’t about how you look when you show up, but what you actually do once you're there. Until then, she’ll just remain another Hollywood grifter looking for her next PR fix.
