Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been defended by a close friend who called them an “amazing couple”. Famous chef José Andrés, 55, has worked closely with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex over recent years after his nonprofit Andrés World Central Kitchen, which feeds people who have been impacted by environmental crises and military conflicts, partnered with Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation in 2020.

Since then, Andrés has become friends with the couple and has worked with them on a number of occasions, including in January this year during the LA wildfires. Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, teamed up with World Central Kitchen to serve meals to first responders and victims of the fires. They were also spotted distributing food, outside the Pasadena Convention Center, which was being used by people who had been displaced by the fires. Speaking to Page Six this week at City Harvest Presents the 2025 Gala: Carnaval in New York City, Andrés said: “They’re friends. I can only talk about the good things that they do.”

The chef, who called the couple "amazing", continued: “When they were in LA during the fires, they were genuinely in the fires.

“When the cameras were not rolling, they were there listening to people, and they made them feel like the most important person in the world.”

Andrés' comments come after the duke and duchess received backlash back in January for their volunteer work, with people claiming online they were just doing it to improve their image.

They were also heavily criticised by Hollywood actress Justine Bateman, who said their appearance in LA was a "repulsive photo-op", labelling them “disaster tourists”.

She said at the time: "Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers. What a repulsive 'photo op' they achieved. They are 'touring the damage'?

“Are they politicians now? They don't live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists. #PalisadesFire."

A source close to the couple told Page Six at the time that Harry and Meghan were offended by the actress’s comments. The source said: "It’s offensive to Meghan and Harry that anybody would think this is merely a photo opportunity.”

It is believed that through their Archewell Foundation, the couple made donations and provided support to organisations and charities in need during the LA wildfires.