Meghan Markle shares emotional new video as she thanks singer Billie Eilish for donation amid LA wildfires

The Duchess of Sussex has been helping those impacted by the wildfires

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Meghan Markle has shared an emotional new video, expressing gratitude to singer Billie Eilish for her heartfelt donation to a teenage wildfire victim in Los Angeles.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Meghan, 43, recounted how she reached out to the popstar to try and replace a cherished item lost in the devastating fires.

In the clip, Meghan also had a subtle tribute to her children – son Prince Archie, five, and daughter Princess Lilibet, three.

Meghan Markle thanks singer Billie Eilish for heartfelt donation amid wildfires

The video saw Meghan at her home in California, looking relaxed in a pair of jeans and a black crewneck sweatshirt. The sweatshirt was sweetly embroidered with her children’s names in white font near the neckline.

In the video, the Duchess of Sussex detailed how she and her husband Prince Harry visited Altadena, a community left in ruins by the recent wildfires.

While speaking with a local mother, Meghan learned about a 15-year-old girl who had lost everything. This included a Billie Eilish concert T-shirt she had left in the washing machine before the fire.

I don’t know Billie Eilish, but I was trying to figure out how to get this girl her shirt.

“I was just told that something arrived that I had been waiting for. About two or three weeks ago, when my husband and I were in Altadena, we went to a community where all the homes were left in ashes,” Meghan said in the video.

“This mum had found a couple of things and as I was talking to her, I turned and looked and I saw this young woman. I asked her, ‘How old are you?’ She’s 15, and her mum shared with me that when they came back to see their house for the first time, all that she had been looking for was the T-shirt from the Billie Eilish concert that she had just gone to.”
Meghan thanked singer Billie for her gesture (Credit: SplashNews.com)
The duchess went on to explain that when she realised the girl’s beloved T-shirt had been destroyed along with her home, she immediately sought a way to replace it.

Determined to help, Meghan sent out a voice note to her contacts, hoping to connect with the Grammy-winning artist, as she didn’t know her personally.

Meghan explained. “So I thought of everybody I knew and sent a voice note saying, ‘Please can someone get this message to Billie Eilish?’”

Her efforts paid off – Birds of a Feather singer Billie responded with a package of signed merchandise for the teen.
The Duchess of Sussex thanked singer Billie Eilish in a new Instagram video (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Meghan thanks celebrity friends Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo

Meghan excitedly showed off the items, which included T-shirts, a lunchbox, and other memorabilia.

“You guys! I don’t even know what all this stuff means,” Meghan laughed as she panned the camera over the merch. “But it’s signed for her!”

She added jokingly: “Is this a thing? A lunchbox? I don’t know… this is when I feel really old.”

Meghan extended her gratitude not only to Billie but also to Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and his wife, Behati Prinsloo, for helping her make the connection.

The duchess said: “Huge thank you, Billie Eilish. This is going to mean so much to her. And honestly, to Adam Levine and Behati – you guys helped get this over the line.”

The duchess also used the moment to acknowledge first responders and those supporting wildfire victims.

“To everyone who is showing up for people in big and small ways to get through what’s happening in California, just thank you so much!” She gushed.

She concluded by saying: “I’m going to email her mum now. Just wanted to share this with you guys!”

The caption of her post read: “Let’s keep supporting those affected by the California wildfires. Thanks to everyone who made this possible, but most importantly, thank you to our first responders who are the community’s real heroes. As ever, Meghan.”
Meghan and Harry have been accused of being ‘disaster tourists’ amid the LA wildfires (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Meghan and Harry branded ‘disaster tourists’

Last month, Meghan and Prince Harry stepped out to volunteer and help the victims amid the wildfires.

However, the Sussexes’ efforts have drawn mixed reactions. While many praised their efforts, some critics, including actress Justine Bateman, dismissed them.

In January, Justine sparked controversy on social media. “Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers,” she wrote on X. “What a repulsive ‘photo op’ they achieved. They are ‘touring the damage’? Are they politicians now?”

Meanwhile, during an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Justine branded the couple “disaster tourists”.

Who is Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex?

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, is the wife of King Charles III’s youngest son Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle was born on August 4, 1981, in California, United States. She is currently 43 years old. She had a career in acting before marrying into the royal family in 2018.

What did Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex do before joining the monarchy?

Former actress Meghan had a string of acting roles before she met Prince Harry, most famously playing the role of Rachel Zane in legal drama Suits.

Her acting career began at Northwestern University.

The duchess also wrote a lifestyle blog named The Tig and became heavily involved in charity work – which has continued since she met Harry.

Marrying Prince Harry

Meghan married into the royal family on May 19, 2018, when she and Prince Harry tied the knot at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Just a few months after their wedding, Meghan and Harry announced they were expecting their first child. They welcomed Prince Archie on May 6, 2019.

Two years later on June 4, 2021, the couple welcomed a daughter named Princess Lilibet. She was named after the late Queen Elizabeth II – whose nickname was Lilibet.

Months after welcoming son Archie, Prince Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping down from their senior royal roles within the royal family. They then moved to the United States and have lived there since.

Meghan has made a return to the entertainment world, launching projects with Netflix alongside Harry. In January 2025, she announced a lifestyle show named With Love, Meghan, which will see her giving cooking and gardening tips to viewers alongside a host of celebrity guests. It will premiere on March 4, 2025.

Meghan and Harry ‘offended’ after being called ‘disaster tourists’

In response, a source close to the couple told Page Six that they were deeply hurt by such accusations.

“It’s offensive to Meghan and Harry that anybody would think this is merely a photo opportunity,” the source said. “Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles, so this is, and always will be, home to her.”

The insider added: “Her heart is completely broken for all the lives that have been lost and for those whose homes have been destroyed in these fires.”