prince harry and Meghan Markle have received glowing praise from the famous chef jose andres for his dedication to humanitarian and charitable work.
The Duke of Sussex recently made a solo stop at an event to celebrate the launch of Andrés’ cookbook, “Spain My Way.”
Amid reports that the couple are struggling with financial pressures, a royal expert has suggested they could now face calls to downsize their expensive lifestyle in California.
Celebrity chef José Andrés expressed his admiration for Harry and Meghan and praised their commitment to humanitarian causes.
In a conversation with PEOPLEAndrés, who also leads humanitarian efforts through his nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen, gave insight into his close friendship with the couple. He explained that they are open and welcoming, like any other family.
“They made their kitchen the gathering place like any other family,” he said. “I love how Meghan interacts with her children and food.”
Andrés is close to the Sussexes and even appeared on Meghan’s lifestyle series, “With Love, Meghan,” on Netflix. In the show’s second season finale, Meghan revealed that Harry doesn’t like lobster, prompting Andrew to joke: “And you married him anyway?”
For the chef, spending time with Harry and Meghan is like meeting anyone else, as they talk about life, family, food, new restaurants and other everyday topics.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s quiet charity work gets attention
The chef highlighted Harry and Meghan’s dedication to charitable work and said he is “proud to call them friends.”
Through their Archewell Foundation, the couple has partnered with Andrés’ nonprofit World Central Kitchen to provide meals to communities affected by disasters.
He said he often receives calls or text messages from the Montecito royal family when disasters strike, with the couple asking, “What can we do here and can we help you?”
“No one hears about those moments and they do it often, all the time,” he said of the couple’s efforts.
During the Eaton fires that devastated parts of Pasadena and the California metropolitan area, Harry and Meghan joined Andrés’ organization’s relief efforts, sharing meals and supplies with victims.
“They always worry about all the things that happen in the world. They don’t have to do that,” Andrés said. “They honestly do it because they care.”
Chef defends Harry and Meghan from criticism over ‘photo shoot’
While the couple has frequently faced online criticism and accusations of engaging in “photo ops” when out performing public service, Andrés appeared to reject that narrative. He explained that the Sussexes make sure to show up and “be part of the solution.”
Commenting on Harry’s recent trip to Ukraine, where he supported wounded veterans and military personnel through his Invictus Games Foundation, Andrés said: “not many people do that.”
“They can decide to live a life in the comfort of their home, but I love that they are there even when no one is looking, they are just there to make sure that they can also be part of the solution,” she added of the couple. “That’s why I’m very proud to call them friends,” Andrés said.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face new pressure over their lifestyle
Despite their humanitarian work, Harry and Meghan have continued to face scrutiny, especially when it comes to their finances. Over the years, they have reportedly lost multi-million dollar deals, while several business initiatives have struggled to gain strong traction.
According Page sixHarry hasn’t earned as much as he used to, while Meghan has essentially become the “breadwinner” of her family. Their cost of living is said to be over $6 million, with a large portion reportedly going towards security, travel, staff salaries, mortgage payments and other expenses.
Columnist and royal expert Maureen Callahan has now suggested that the couple is under increasing pressure to downsize your luxury lifestyle in California if financial pressure continues to grow.
King Charles Reportedly Still Hesitant to See Prince Harry
While there has been speculation that Harry could reunite with his estranged father, King Charles, during a summer trip to the UK to drum up support for the Invictus Games in Birmingham next year, sources have claimed a reunion is unlikely.
Citing the couple’s proposed “half in, half out” royal deal, which was rejected by Queen Elizabeth, a source told royal commentator Paula Froelich that it would be difficult for the king to extend an olive branch.
“Since Harry broke the Sandringham deal, it would be too much for Charles to see,” the source said, according to NewsNation.
Charles is also understood to be upset by claims that Meghan has used her grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, to promote products from her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
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