Prince Harry, Meghan Markles friend Jos Andrs praises them for visiting LA wildfire victims: They show up

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s friend, José Andrés, has heaped praise on the couple for visiting Los Angeles fire victims earlier this month.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Pasadena Convention Center on Jan.10, which was transformed into an evacuation site for victims of the nearby Eaton fire.During their outing, Harry, 40, and the “Suits” alum, 43, were seen exchanging hugs with several individuals affected by the crisis.“Probably, you feel like it’s better that nobody does anything, because nobody criticizes you for showing up — but the amazing thing is that they show up,” the World Central Kitchen founder, 55, told People on Saturday.“The hugs I saw [them] give to the people that recognize them and even the people that don’t recognize them, it’s people that just want somebody to listen to them, and give them a hug.”Shortly after the couple’s well-intentioned outing, “Family Ties” alum Justine Bateman labelled the duo “ambulance chasers” and “disaster tourists.”Despite the barrage of criticism, Andrés praised the Sussexes for their efforts in lending a helping hand to the community during a crisis.“I mean, listen, I consider them friends,” he said of the couple.

“I know they are in the spotlight — not in America, but in Britain — and what I can tell you from what I know is that they don’t have to, but they decide to do it.”Andrés added that he is “just glad they show up like so many others.”Having previously made monetary donations to the relief efforts via their Archewell Foundation, the pair also donated clothing, children’s items and other essential supplies to the main donation center.“The joy they bring to the people, the joy they bring to the first responders, or the people that lost everything… and to see those celebrities giving hugs and crying with the people when some of those celebrities lost their homes — they could be home, but they are there,” Andrés went on.“And...