Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have earned praise for their wildfire relief efforts.
One of their friends, Jose Andres, founder of WCK, has appreciated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for showing up despite the criticism.
Jose told PEOPLE magazine that he is “just glad that they show up like so many others.”
He went on to add that “I mean, listen, I consider them friends. I Know they are in the spotlight — not in America, but in Britain — and what I can tell you from what I know is that they don’t have to, but they decide to do it.”
“Probably, you feel like it’s better that nobody does anything, because nobody criticizes you for showing up — but the amazing thing is that they show up,” Jose said.
He added that “The hugs I saw [them] give to the people that recognize them and even the people that don’t recognize them, it’s people that just want somebody to listen to them, and give them a hug.”
Jose explained the couple’s effort was not for the media, saying, “the joy they bring to the people, the joy they bring to the first responders, or the people that lost everything… and to see those celebrities giving hugs and crying with the people when some of those celebrities lost their homes — they could be home, but they are there.”
“And I think anybody that does anything, celebrity or not, only they will always forever get my applause and my recognition,” Jose added further.
