Inside Meghan Markle's 'Easy' Call to Delay Her Netflix Show: 'We're Dealing with a Catastrophe' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

(Left) Meghan Markle at the 2024 SXSW Conference and Festival in Austin, Texas on March 8, 2024; (Right) “With Love, Meghan” on Netflix.Photo:Astrida Valigorsky/Getty; Courtesy of Netflix

Astrida Valigorsky/Getty; Courtesy of Netflix

Meghan Markledidn’t think twice about postponing this week’s release of her new show,With Love, Meghan,amid theseries of wildfiresravaging her hometown of Los Angeles.

“Delaying the release ofWith Love, Meghanwas 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,” an industry insider tells PEOPLE. “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.”

Meghan Markle with the mayor of Pasadena, Victor Gordo, at a home that was destroyed during the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Jan. 10, 2025.Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty

Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty

Contrary to some reports that their visit was brief, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex dedicated an entire day to volunteering in Pasadena, where they focused on discreetly supporting wildfire relief efforts, hearing both harrowing stories and witnessing the community spirit. They donated essential supplies, served meals with World Central Kitchen (a longtime partner of their charitable Archewell Foundation) and spent time with families and elderly individuals.

Prince Harry and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo at a home that was destroyed in the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Jan. 10, 2025.Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty

Together with Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California’s First Partner, and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, the couple shared their gratitude for first responders, including L.A. County firefighters and police.

In a later conversation withFOX 11 Los Angeles, Gordo said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left an impression on everyone they met with.

“It’s great people, great personalities and great heart for them to come out here and meet with the first responders, meet with the people who were affected,” Gordo told the local outlet. “It’s very important. They really buoyed the spirits of the first responders.”

“We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl, and people were very happy to see them,” the mayor said. “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. They took the time to meet the people that are affected and spent time. They’re just very caring people who are very concerned for their friends and neighbors.”

Meghan and Prince Harry’s office shared a statement on Jan. 9 about how people could pitch in with the relief effort, and headed out to help the next day.

(Left) “With Love, Meghan” on Netflix; (Right) Meghan Markle at the Paley Honors Fall Gala honoring Tyler Perry in Beverly Hills, California on Dec. 4, 2024.Courtesy of Netflix; Leon Bennett/FilmMagic

Courtesy of Netflix; Leon Bennett/FilmMagic

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With Love, Meghanwas filmed in Montecito and pays tribute to the beauty of Southern California. The series sees Duchess of Sussex pursue her longtime passions like cooking, creating and entertaining, welcoming friends old and new across eight episodes.

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

source: people.com