Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s pal defends Sussexes’ philanthropy: ‘They could be in their own cave and do nothing’

Renowned chef José Andrés is baffled by the hate hurled at his pals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

“They’re friends,” he told Page Six exclusively on Tuesday at City Harvest Presents the 2025 Gala: Carnaval in New York City. “I can only talk about the good things that they do.”

Andrés, 55, went on to describe Harry, 40, and Markle, 43, “as an amazing couple,” noting that while “they could be in their own cave and do nothing” after stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, they have decided to use their platforms “to bring voice and life to issues.”

The James Beard Award winner spotlighted the royal couple’s aid during the Los Angeles wildfires as one example.

“When they were in LA during the fires, they were genuinely in the fires,” he told us. “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.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen volunteering after fires began ravaging Southern California in early January.

They teamed up with Andrés’ World Central Kitchen nonprofit to serve meals to both first responders and victims of the fire and were also spotted distributing food and essentials outside the Pasadena Convention Center.

Additionally, Markle discreetly volunteered with Altadena Girls, an organization designed to “restore normalcy” for teenagers affected by the fires.

The “Suits” alum arrived with bags full of clothing and beauty products and then helped provide lunch for all the volunteers.

World Central Kitchen, which feeds people impacted by environmental crises and military conflicts, has long-standing ties with Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation.

The two groups partnered in 2020.

“I have been able to spend time with them, working with them,” Andrés told People about the Sussexes in 2022, “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.”