Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, revealed in a February 2024 Instagram post how she and nine-time Grammy winner Billie Eilish joined forces to help a teenage girl who lost everything in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires earlier that year. The wildfires, including the Eaton Fire, ravaged the area in early January, leaving many residents, including the teen and her mother, without homes.
Markle recounted meeting the mother and daughter while visiting the affected community in Altadena, California, with her husband, Prince Harry. The mother shared that amidst the devastation, her 15-year-old daughter’s only concern was the loss of a Billie Eilish concert T-shirt, a cherished possession that had been left in the washing machine or dryer during the hasty evacuation.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(672×592:674×594)/Meghan-Markle-LA-Fires-011224-03-b392425db61e461a8ef690cc923a02d5.jpg)
Touched by the teen’s story, Markle, although not personally acquainted with Eilish, was determined to replace the lost shirt. She reached out to her network of contacts, sending a voice note requesting assistance in connecting with the singer. Markle’s efforts paid off, as Eilish responded with a box filled with signed merchandise for the young fan.
In a heartfelt video, Markle expressed her gratitude to Eilish, Adam Levine, and Behati Prinsloo for their help in making the surprise happen. She showcased the various items sent by Eilish, including a blue lunchbox adorned with a gold star, playfully admitting her unfamiliarity with some of the merchandise.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/eaton-fire-011325-1-ec2d7d2ddc534759b7a98a50eed5ef07.jpg)
Markle’s act of kindness highlighted the importance of community support in the face of tragedy. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been actively involved in assisting wildfire victims, distributing food and supplies, opening their Montecito home to evacuees, and supporting recovery efforts through their Archewell Foundation. Their commitment extended to supporting the Altadena Teen Girls Fire Recovery group, founded by a 14-year-old to collect essentials for teenage girls affected by the fire.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/with-love-meghan-010225-2-ab65d837a04b4917bd132370b1269cc6.jpg)
The wildfires also impacted the release of Markle’s Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” which was postponed from its original January premiere date to March in response to the disaster. Markle expressed gratitude for Netflix’s support in delaying the launch, allowing her to focus on the needs of those affected by the fires.
