Justine Bateman blasts Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for being 'disaster tourists' amid LA wildfires

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Outraged Hollywood actress-turned-producer Justine Bateman claimed that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have not done enough to combat the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

The 'Family Ties' star, 58, blasted the royal couple on X (formerly Twitter) after they were spotted in a Fox 11 video talking to the wildfire victims and other volunteers while wearing basic apparel.

Bateman, who previously criticized Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, slammed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for what she found as an offensive "photo op" at a victim evacuation center, reported the New York Post.

Justine Bateman slams Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for 'photo op'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently met with first responders and victims of the devastating Eaton Fire at an evacuation center in Pasadena.

The couple opened their home to evacuees and contributed several basic needs to support the impacted neighborhood along with helping to serve meals at World Central Kitchen, with whom they have long had links. 

The former working royals were seen in the video footage wandering around the evacuation center, barely hours before it was revealed that 24 people died in the fires, according to the Daily Mail. 

However, Bateman, who previously expressed her disapproval of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' administration following the devastating southern California wildfires, was not impressed by Harry and Meghan's efforts.

An agitated Bateman wrote on X, on Saturday night, January 11, "Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers. What a repulsive ‘photo op’ they achieved."

Referring to news footage she posted on social media, Bateman questioned, "They are ‘touring the damage’? Are they politicians now? They don’t live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists."

According to footage obtained by Fox 11 Los Angeles, Harry and Meghan appeared in Pasadena on Friday, January 10, interacting with volunteers and the city's mayor Victor Gordo.

The mayor described the couple as "great people" with "great personalities" who were eager to offer any help they could.

Gordo said, "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 Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared to be distributing food packs to people impacted by the horrific fires at the Pasadena Convention Center, which is being used as an evacuation center.

They were also seen embracing Jose Andres, the creator of World Central Kitchen, which provides free hot meals to emergency personnel and the general public amid the wildfires.

News anchor Susan Hirasuna was later criticized online for calling Meghan "Princess Markle" during the live broadcast of the exchange on FOX LA.

Internet agrees with Justine Bateman as she blasts Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'photo op'

Several users on the internet seemed to agree with Justine Bateman's criticism of the royal couple. Slamming Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, one social media user wrote on X, "They are grief grifters. Despicable duo."

Another commented, "It’s hilarious looking at her walking around like a lost toddler, hugging everyone trying to look busy."

"Thank you Justine! You are absolutely correct. It's not the first time Meghan has used a tragedy for her photo op. She went to Uvalde and used a shrine for dead children too," one person claimed.

Another remarked, "You aren’t lying. It’s not their neighborhood-they wouldn’t be caught dead in Pasadena normally. 2 hours from Montecito and the per capita income isn’t high enough."

"They need to somehow connect their Archewell Foundation to this tragedy so they can get the grant money to “help”. That’s what I think they’re doing. They’re world class grifters," one individual stated.

Another added, "These two are never going to go away, are they. Their lack of self awareness and ability to not feel humiliation is astounding."

"They’re disgusting bottom feeders. They were on-site for 17 minutes and brought their own film crew for photo opp. They’re as ingenuous as Newscum," said one netizen.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.