Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Prince Harry made a sweet gesture to one elderly man after visiting an emergency evacuation centre last week following the raging wildfires in California.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, was volunteering at the Pasadena Convention Centre on January 10 to help with the relief effort alongside his wife Meghan Markle, 43.
The couple was seen serving food, delivering supplies, and thanking first responders for their efforts. They also spoke to victims of the fires, including people who had lost everything.
While some of their efforts were caught on camera, leading to some criticism towards the couple, one sweet gesture made by Harry to an elderly man in need was only disclosed by Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, who saw the poignant moment himself.
As reported by People, Gordo told the Pasadena Star-News that the prince, who quit royal life in the UK in 2020 and moved to America, was sitting with an elderly man and asked him if he wanted a sandwich, tangerine or water. The mayor said the older man only wanted a doughnut, which they did not have on the site, with Prince Harry reportedly saying: “There’s no doughnut here, but I will find one.”
Speaking of the moment, Gordo said: “He (Harry) takes off, and 10 minutes later, he returns with a doughnut.
“The gentleman looks up and says, ‘I guess I need my carbs and my sugar.’ That gentleman tonight is at the convention centre and does not know it was Prince Harry who brought him that doughnut.”
Gordo said that after Harry sought out a doughnut for the man, the man told the prince: “If you ever run for anything, I’ll vote for you.”
In addition to volunteering, Prince Harry and Meghan have reportedly opened up their Montecito home to family and friends in need and donated supplies to displaced families.
Despite these efforts, the couple has received negative press and was even branded “disaster tourists” by Hollywood actress Justine Bateman, who suggested they use their visit as a photo opportunity.
A source close to Meghan said this was not the case, as the duchess grew up in LA and is “devastated” by the horrific damage these wildfires are causing.
The insider told Page Six: “It’s offensive to Meghan and Harry that anybody would think this is merely a photo opportunity. Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles so this is, and always will be, home to her.”
Since quitting royal life in 2020, Harry and Meghan have been living in a Montecito mansion with their two children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three. Their home, despite being in California, is not currently in an evacuation zone.