Meghan Markle Delays Netflix Show As California Wildfires Rage On

Netflix and Meghan Markle are delaying the release of her upcoming series out of respect for the ongoing tragedy of the southern California wildfires.

Markle, a Los Angeles native, requested the delay herself. The show, titled With Love, Meghan, was expected to premiere on Wednesday of this week and will feature The Duchess of Sussex with guests as they try their hand at cooking and gardening in an 8-episode series. Earlier this month, she shared a video of the trailer on her Instagram, which shows her putting the finishing touches on a cake. The show will now be released on March 4.

“I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California,” Markle said in a statement.

An insider close to Markle says, “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.”

Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, visited with fire victims on Friday. The couple was seen hugging and consoling those directly affected by the tragedy. They distributed meals and items like water bottles and other essentials.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo says the visit did wonders for those nearby.

“Great people, great personalities and great heart for them to come out here and be with the first responders, meet with the people who were affected, um, it’s very important. They really buoyed the sprits of the first responders We visited with the command post and the Rose Bowl and people were very happy to see them,” Mayor Gordo said.

They reportedly have opened their home in Montecito to friends who have lost their home in the fire.

Markle’s show was filmed in their current home town which lies about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. While Montecito is far from the flames, it narrowly avoids inclusion in the “red flag” warning that blankets much of the southern part of the state.

The Pacific Palisades fire is only at 14% containment, and has burned through nearly 24,000 acres and officials are warning residents to remain focused on the winds that are expected in the area through Wednesday of this week.

The Eaton fire, near Pasadena, is nearly as harrowing with 14,000 acres destroyed, only at 33% containment. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, from homes and celebrity mansions to small businesses, schools, churches, and parks. Officials estimate the damage to be at $150 billion and counting.