Justine Bateman calls Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 'disaster tourists' amid LA wildfires

Justine Bateman has harsh words for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

The actress lashed out at the couple on X (formerly Twitter) this week, accusing them of taking advantage of the Los Angeles wildfires for personal gain.

As you've probably heard by now, Southern California was devastated by one of the worst natural disasters in the region's history.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, react as Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (unseen), delivers a speech at the Lagos State Governor's House on May 12, 2024, as they visit Nigeria as part of Invictus Games anniversary celebrations. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, react as Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (unseen), delivers a speech at the Lagos State Governor's House on May 12, 2024, as they travel to Nigeria as part of Invictus Games anniversary celebrations.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, react as Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, delivers a speech at the State Governor's House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 as they travel to Nigeria as part of the Invictus celebrations. Anniversary of the games. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess participate

In addition to using their platform to help raise money for rescue efforts, Meghan and Harry met with Angelenos who have been most deeply affected by this ongoing tragedy.

On Friday, the Sussexes joined Gov. Gavin Newsom's wife Jennifer as she visited the Pasadena Convention Center to meet with those displaced by the fires.

Meghan also delayed the premiere date of her upcoming Netflix cooking show so she could focus all her attention on relief efforts.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Lightway Academy in Abuja on May 10, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of the Invictus Games anniversary celebrations. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Lightway Academy in Abuja on May 10, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of the Invictus Games anniversary celebrations.
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Lightway Academy in Abuja on May 10, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of the Invictus Games anniversary celebrations. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images)

Unfortunately, Harry and Meghan's involvement sparked backlash from a small but vocal group of critics who accused the couple of using the disaster to repair their battered public image.

The most prominent of these critics is Bateman.

The actress, best known for her work on Family ties And Desperate housewives – accused Harry and Meghan of staging a “photo op” while talking to emergency workers.

Justine Bateman attends the Justine Bateman attends the
Justine Bateman attends the “Violet” photo call during the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Bell Lightbox on September 9, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Jeremy Chan/Getty Images)

Justine takes it

“What a disgusting 'photoshoot' they pulled off. They are “surveying the damage”? Are they politicians now? Bateman wrote on X (formerly Twitter) this weekend.

“They don’t live here; they are tourists. Tourists in disaster. #PalisadesFire,” she concluded.

The claim that Meghan and Harry “don't live here” was likely in reference to the fact that the Duke and Duchess reside in Santa Barbara, which is about a 90-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan Markle react while attending a show during a visit to the National Arts Center in Bogota on August 15, 2024. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan Markle react while attending a show during a visit to the National Arts Center in Bogota on August 15, 2024.
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan Markle react while attending a show during a visit to the National Arts Center in Bogota on August 15, 2024. (Photo by RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images)

But Meghan is originally from Los Angeles, and the area has clearly become dear to Harry's heart over the past five years.

Like others who have criticized the couple, Justine is likely experiencing a tremendous amount of pain witnessing the unfathomable suffering in her hometown.

But in times like this, we all need to give ourselves a little grace and take the best from our neighbors.

Meghan and Harry have a long humanitarian history, and until they give us reason to be skeptical, we will continue to have no doubt about their good intentions.


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