José Andrés Praises Friends Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for Visiting L.A. Fire Victims Despite Criticism: ‘They Show Up’ (Exclusive)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry “show up” when it matters, regardless of the cameras or criticism they may face as a result, according to their friend José Andrés.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex — who live in Montecito, Calif., about 90 miles north of the L.A. area — have quietly aided with wildfire relief efforts as blazes tear across Southern California, donating essential supplies, connecting with affected families and serving meals with World Central Kitchen (WCK).

Andrés is “just glad that they show up like so many others,” he told PEOPLE during the Cayman Cookout at the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman.

“I mean, listen, I consider them friends,” the WCK founder and restaurateur, 55, says of the pair, who have longstanding ties to his organization. “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.”

On Jan. 10, Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, visited the WCK location in Pasadena to help distribute food and supplies to victims of the Eaton Fire, aid that The Bazaar and Zaytinya owner called “amazing.”

“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,” Andrés says. “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.”

Adds the chef: “I’m just glad that they show up like so many others.”

Like another one of his famous friends who assisted WCK in its fire relief efforts in the L.A. area, Jennifer Garner, Meghan and Harry were there to help, not for media attention, Andrés explains.

“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,” he tells PEOPLE. “And I think anybody that does anything, celebrity or not, only they will always forever get my applause and my recognition.”

Some of the individuals assisting WCK and other relief efforts, he continues, “may be celebrities, but in those moments they are one more person willing to do absolutely anything for anybody.”

“So, for everybody that was able to show up even for an hour, for me, they’re amazing people, because they don’t have to because some of them, they are suffering the consequences, maybe, of the fire,” he says. “But there they are and they don’t do it where there are cameras, they’re doing it where there is nobody.”

“And that,” he adds, “makes it very special.”

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Speaking about the aid Meghan and Harry “anonymously” provided to the victims of the wildfires, as well as first responders and others affected, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo told local news outlet FOX 11 that the couple “really buoyed the spirits of the first responders.”

“They want to be as helpful as they can be … we visited with some of the affected families in some of the burned-out areas in Pasadena and Altadena,” Gordo continued. “They took the time to meet the people that are affected and spent time. They’re just very caring people who are concerned for their friends and neighbors.”

In the wake of the wildfires, Meghan, who was born and raised in L.A., also postponed the release of her new Netflix series With Love, Meghan, a decision that was widely met with support. In response to those who criticized or questioned her motives, however, an industry insider revealed that the choice was an “easy” one, driven by her genuine concern for her hometown and those impacted by the fires.

“Delaying the release of With Love, Meghan was likely an easy decision for her. I don’t think she could imagine putting out a show centered on joy and hosting when so many people in her home state no longer have homes to host people in,” the insider said. “I think it’s sad that critics are saying she’s only doing this to avoid the fires overshadowing her show. We’re all human, and we’re dealing with a catastrophe.”

Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.

Source people.com