Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Time100 Summit in NYC on April 23(Image: Getty Images for TIME)Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been described as “an amazing couple” who aim to “bring voice and life to issues” by their friend, José Andrés.
The renowned chef, 55, said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex genuinely care about their local community since stepping down from their royal duties more than five years ago and moving to California, where they now live with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While attending City Harvest Presents the 2025 Gala: Carnaval in New York City this week, José said, “They’re friends. I can only talk about the good things that they do.”
He added that while Harry and Meghan “could be in their own cave and do nothing,” they have decided to use their platforms to do good – giving an example of how the Sussexes got out to help people affected by the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year. The couple were seen volunteering and teamed up with José’s World Central Kitchen non-profit to serve meals to both first responders and victims of the fire.
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Meghan also volunteered with Altadena Girls, where she was seen donating bags full of clothes and beauty products. Speaking about his friends’ efforts, José told Page Six on Tuesday, “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.”
José Andrés said Harry and Meghan are ‘an amazing couple'(Image: Lev Radin/REX/Shutterstock)It is not the first time José has spoken publicly about Harry and Meghan, as back in 2022 he said the couple’s support of his cause – which also saw his non-profit help charities working in Ukraine – was “a blessing.” He told People at the time, “I love them. I have been able to spend time with them, working with them and they are very hands-on and highly knowledgeable of what’s happening in the world, what the issues are, and what the needs are.”
José added, “”For me, it is a pleasure to call them friends. All my life I have been trying to learn what exactly we are missing because why is there still hunger? What are we missing? We have to make the most of the opportunities of goodness, and I believe that with people like Meghan and Harry, we can make it happen.”
On Wednesday this week, Harry and Meghan unveiled a very important art installation in connection with their organization, The Archewell Foundation, in New York City. The duo – who are said to be hoping to reconnect with the royal family – were already in New York City this week for Meghan’s appearance at the TIME100 Summit.
The Sussexes have been praised for their philanthropic efforts(Image: GC Images)Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, joined bereaved families at The Lost Screen Memorial, which features 50 illuminated smartphones with pictures of children that have each lost their lives due to the harms of social media. The reveal of the installation was clearly an emotional moment for Meghan and Harry as they were both moved to tears as they stood to remember each child, and to call for more action and restrictions around social media and online spaces.
Speaking at the unveiling, Harry said, “These children were not sick. Their deaths were not inevitable – they were exposed to, and in many cases were pushed harmful content online, the kind any child could encounter. No child should be exploited, groomed, or preyed upon in digital spaces. To the platforms, they may be seen as statistics. To their families, they were cherished and irreplaceable.
Harry and Meghan speak with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo during the LA wildfires(Image: AP)“While social media companies claim to be taking action, most still withhold critical data from grieving parents—data that could provide answers and accountability. This is a growing crisis. Social media is quietly taking our children, and those with the power to make change are failing to act.”
James Holt, Executive Director at Archewell Foundation, told HELLO!, “All the kids featured in The Lost Screen Memorial came from loving homes with parents who spoke to them about social media, there was just nothing they could do. But lawmakers can do something.” He added, “Everything changed when the Archewell Foundation, Harry and Meghan brought families together. They found power in meeting each other.”
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