Prince Harry sparks concern after royal expert spots key 'issue' with his behaviour next to Meghan Markle

Prince Harry has raised some eyebrows after an expert claimed his behaviour was different while standing next to Meghan Markle as they consoled victims of the LA wildfires this week.

At least 25 people are confirmed to have died in the fires which have ripped through several LA neighbourhoods, having first ignited in the Pacific Palisades on 7 January.

The fires have destroyed thousands of homes, with the LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley ordering more than 30,000 people to evacuate the area as the blaze spread.

After news broke that Harry and Meghan could be among those forced to evacuate their family home, people have been asking questions about whether the former senior royals are doing okay.

According to The Telegraph, the couple faced 'power outages' in their Montecito mansion and even risked the 'prospect of evacuation if rapidly spreading wildfires reach their neighbourhood'.

Since the fires began, they have been seen together volunteering and handing out supplies to those impacted by the flames.

As clips came out of the duo hugging and handing out mugs, actress Justine Bateman called it ‘repulsive’.

The Family Ties star took to social media to brand it as nothing more than an insensitive 'photo op' at the evacuation centre for victims.

Bateman wrote on Twitter on 12 January: "Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers.

"What a repulsive 'photo op' they achieved. They are 'touring the damage'? Are they politicians now?

"They don't live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists."

Of course, they have been defended by their fans who believe they are simply providing support during a trying time, but there’s now rumours the prince isn’t looking comfortable.

Speaking with The Mirror, Tessa Dunlop said Harry seems to be struggling with his new California life with Meghan.

She said: "If the Duchess can't pull off a convincing philanthropy heist just 90 miles down the road from her Santa Barbara home, then just imagine how Prince Harry felt. I have never seen him look so awkward.”

Dunlop added that Harry looked as though he had one foot in and the other out during a moment while his wife was handing out hugs.

She shared: "While Meghan bobbed about, issuing hugs and bottles of water, her hair sashaying under a baseball cap, denim casuals keeping her look cool, uncomfortable, pale Harry hovered on the sidelines, neither in nor out, not fully engaged nor totally removed.

“Shifting on his feet, his milk-bottle white arms glowing in the forgiving sun, he seemed more unsure than the displaced folk without homes. In the words of one American friend, 'Prince Harry has never looked like he belongs here.’”

Later on, she speculated that ‘perhaps unfairly, ire was poured on the couple for a “repulsive” photo opportunity at a disaster hotspot, but the target of the vitriol was primarily his wife.’

Dunlop explained: “This is her patch, and she's the one-time Hollywood actress who has just been forced to postpone With Love, Meghan, her Netflix lifestyle-series filmed in Southern California. Once again, Harry is little more than a footnote in a bigger Meghan story."

All the celebrities who have lost their homes in LA wildfires

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton said on social media that she watched her Malibu home 'burn to the ground' on television.

She wrote: "I’m standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable. When I first saw the news, I was in complete shock—I couldn’t process it. But now, standing here and seeing it with my own eyes, it feels like my heart has shattered into a million pieces."

Mandy Moore

Meanwhile, singer and actor Mandy Moore spoke of her heartbreak as the fires 'levelled' her neighbourhood of Altadena.

The This Is Us star shared an update on her 'home' on Instagram, explaining: "This is Altadena. Leveled. My sweet home.

"I am devastated and gutted for those of us who've lost so much. I'm absolutely numb."

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt

The Hills' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt also lost their home, with Pratt sharing a heartbreaking update on Instagram.

Posting a photo of thick smoke suffocating his sons' nursery, he wrote: "The one positive sign i saw as our house burned down was ours son's bed burned in the shape of a heart.

"A sign of how much love was in this house so thankful for all the years and memories there with our family."

Anna Faris

Scary Movie star Anna Faris tragically lost the home she shared with her family in the Pacific Palisades.

Representatives for the actor told People: "Anna and her family are safe and very grateful."

Ricki Lake

Hairspray star and talk show host Ricki Lake took to social media to confirm the 'immeasurable' loss of her 'dream home'.

“It’s all gone. I can’t believe I am typing these words,” she began. “It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together.

“We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved Malibu for granted, not even for one second.

"I shared our sunset views almost daily with all of you.”

Lake confirmed she will soon share ‘how [she] escaped’, adding: “For now I grieve.”

Diane Warren

Celebrated songwriter and Academy Honorary Award winner Diane Warren confirmed the house she'd lived in for nearly 30 years was destroyed in the blaze.

She wrote: “There's a rainbow shining on it, which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy.

"The animals and the rescue ranch are OK tho which is the most important thing. Stay safe everyone.”

Billy Crystal

When Harry Met Sally star Crystal and his wife, Janice, confirmed they lost the home they'd lived in since 1979 in the devastating blaze.

In a statement, Crystal said all that remained of his property was its tennis court.

He said: "We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away.

"We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this."

Eugene Levy

Schitt's Creek star Eugene Levy is among those whose homes were lost in the raging wildfires, as per the Daily Mail.

The actor had told the Los Angeles Times that he had been caught in a gridlock while attempting to evacuate the danger zone.

"The smoke looked pretty black and intense of Temescal Canyon," he stated. "I couldn't see any flames, but the smoke was very dark."

Cameron Mathison

General Hospital star Cameron Mathison shared a shocking video of his house reduced to rubble and ash as he gave fans an update.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "We are safe But this is what’s left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday."

The Canadian actor had lived in the home with their now-estranged wife, Vanessa Arevalo, and their two children, having purchased it in 2012.

Sandra Lee

Cookbook author and TV show host Sandra Lee revealed that the fires destroyed her Malibu home, which had been a sanctuary during her 'darkest moments'.

Posting an emotional Instagram Reel, she spoke of her heartbreak but also expressed gratitude for the safety of her loved ones.

"I cried all night and thought about every room, nook, and cranny," she explained, adding: "Everyone is safe, that is all that matters," she resolved.

Lee purchased the home in November 2019, a milestone moment after splitting from former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The chef had aspired to purchase such a property since her early days as a waitress in 1989.

Cary Elwes

Having previously shared a video of the 'biblical' Los Angeles blaze as he was evacuated, The Princess Bride star later confirmed his home was no longer.

Taking to Instagram, he said: "Sadly, we did lose our home, but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire.

"Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also with to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it."

Milo Ventimiglia

The This Is Us star revealed that he'd watched his house burn down on his security cameras.

He told CBS: "It’s heavy. You start thinking about all the memories in different parts of the house and whatnot, and then you see your neighbours' houses and everything kind of around, and your heart just breaks."

Mel Gibson

The Mad Max actor said he found out his home had been destroyed in the fires while filming an episode of Joe Rogen's podcast.

He told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports: "It’s kind of devastating. It’s emotional. I was doing the Rogan podcast… And [I was] kind of ill at ease while we were talking because I knew my neighbourhood was on fire, so I thought, I wonder if my place is still there."

Tina Knowles

Beyoncé's mother took to Instagram to share that her Malibu bungalow had been lost to the fires.

She wrote: "This is what I was looking at on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu! It was my favourite place, my sanctuary, my sacred Happy Place. Now it is gone!!"

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester

Adam Brody’s Los Angeles home has been ‘reduced to rubble and ash,' according to reports from TMZ.

Images shared by the publication showed ‘black smoke’ rising from the wreckage.

Brody and his wife, Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester, reportedly purchased their home in 2019 and lived there with their two children.

Miles Teller

According to the Daily Mail, Whiplash star Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Sperry Teller join the list of stars who've lost their homes in the brutal natural disaster.

The couple, who married in 2019, purchased the 6,600-square-foot mansion in April 2023.

His wife later took to Instagram to share some photos of their house, writing: "Snapped this driving out.

"To everyone reaching out I can’t thank you enough, your kind hearts have meant the world, I’ll never forget them."