The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have once again graced the public with their charity efforts, this time making an appearance amidst the devastating Los Angeles fires.
However, before we are swept away by the warm glow of humanitarian inspiration, let’s take a moment to juxtapose their actions with someone who truly embodies the spirit of giving—Selena Gomez. On January 16, Selena Gomez and her fiancé, Benny Blanco, were seen engaging in a deeply genuine act of service. The couple wasn’t there for fleeting photo ops; instead, they rolled up their sleeves and handed out food to first responders bravely battling the wildfires.
This wasn’t a brief pit stop for a few curated snapshots—far from it. Selena and Benny arrived prepared with boxes of supplies, masks, and an unwavering commitment to help. They backed up their efforts with a significant $5 million donation and leveraged their influence by tagging companies to encourage additional contributions. This is what real charity looks like—substantial action, sustained support, and zero fanfare.
Now, enter Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepping into the spotlight for their own charitable moment. Unfortunately, their performance lasted a grand total of just 17 minutes. What did this brief excursion entail? No boxes of food or essential supplies in sight. Instead, they came equipped with their fleet of gas-guzzling SUVs, offering little more than smiles and carefully orchestrated hugs. Meghan lifted the lid of a plastic bin while Harry stood by chatting, at one point requesting a donut. Yet, despite this minimal involvement, some media outlets seemed poised to canonize them for their efforts.
Where Selena and Benny’s involvement was marked by humility and meaningful contributions, Harry and Meghan’s actions seemed more tailored for the cameras. Their visit was less about tangible impact and more about the optics of being seen as humanitarians. Selena didn’t need a team of stylists or a pre-arranged photo shoot to highlight her altruism—she simply showed up, worked hard, and made a real difference.
For additional context, consider Sean Penn’s heroics during past disasters. When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Penn didn’t merely pose for pictures—he literally swam through floodwaters to rescue survivors, embodying selfless courage. There were no entourages, no orchestrated public relations campaigns—just raw, unfiltered action with life-saving results.
Contrast this with the Sussexes, who drove two hours to hand out sandwiches during a disaster, presumably under the belief that their visibility alone was enough to constitute charity. Local volunteers could have easily distributed those meals more efficiently, but that would have denied Harry and Meghan their moment in front of the cameras.
Let’s be clear: true charity isn’t about being seen doing good; it’s about doing good whether or not anyone is watching. Real impact comes from thoughtful, meaningful contributions—not from orchestrated appearances and well-rehearsed gestures.
Harry and Meghan would do well to learn from Selena and Benny. Donate substantially. Show up with resources. Work quietly and consistently. Most importantly, leave the cameras behind. When you care about making a difference, the focus remains on the people you’re helping—not on your own image. Next time the Sussexes feel compelled to contribute, perhaps they’ll come armed with more than polished smiles and perfectly staged photo ops. True charity doesn’t seek applause; it speaks through action and generosity.
