Meghan Markle is reportedly particularly “upset” over the backlash she has received for helping those affected by the LA wildfires.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle help LA wildfire victims
Meghan Markle is said to be “hurt” by the latest criticism she’s received following her appearance in Los Angeles to volunteer and help those impacted by the devastating wildfires that have been ravaging the area.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to Pasadena on January 10 to visit an evacuation centre and food bank. Meghan, who may now reside in Montecito but was born and raised in Los Angeles – which is some 90 miles away – visited her hometown again last Monday and was spotted volunteering at a teen charity’s warehouse.
Harry and Meghan have also urged people to “open their homes” to those evacuated and “check-in” on any of their “disabled or elderly neighbours” in a statement which included a list of fire service charities, animal groups, and other initiatives to support those affected.
But their appearance in Los Angeles sparked a fierce backlash led by Hollywood actress Justine Bateman, who dubbed them “disaster tourists” and accused them of a “repulsive photo-op”.
Now, an insider alleged that the criticism had touched a “major nerve” for the duchess, who reportedly feels that “she’s still getting treated like garbage” even when she’s trying to help.
Meghan Markle feels like she is being ‘treated like garbage’ says source (Image: Getty)
The told Heat magazine: “For Meghan especially, it cuts extremely deep and touches a major nerve. This is her home city burning to the ground, she wants to help, and yet by doing that she’s still getting treated like garbage.
“Harry is telling her how proud he is, that the only way to handle it is to turn the other cheek and keep their side of the street clean. But of course it gets them down and hurts like hell for both of them, how could it not?”
The source added that the Sussexes are “stunned and appaled” at the negative reaction to their efforts and feel like they’re being “unfairly treated”.
They explained: “It confirms what they already knew to a big extent, that they can’t win no matter what they do or don’t do, their haters will always be out in force finding any way possible to tear them down.
“The fact they’ve been name-called and labelled as opportunistic attention seekers simply for trying to help the community and put time and energy into such a worthy cause truly beggars’ belief, as far as they’re concerned.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Pasadena earlier this month (Image: Getty)
“A big part of them wants to just laugh it off but it’s so sick and twisted in their minds that makes it way harder to turn the other cheek. Instead, they’re shaking their heads and feeling very unfairly treated.”
Meghan is said to be “heartbroken” by the raging wildfires that have killed at least 27 people so far as of Tuesday morning and destroyed more than 14,000 structures, according to officials.
The source added: “Meghan is a California girl, this is heartbreaking for her on so many levels, they’re both so sad. But they’re being proactive and they’re looking at ways their foundation can help. Emotionally they are very impacted by this, the collective pain and suffering that this city they both love is going through is devastating.”
