Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have spent two days delivering food to critically ill residents in LA this week because the Duchess wanted her husband to experience the city ‘through the eyes of Philanthropy’, it’s been revealed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who moved to the city last month, have been volunteering with the charity Project Angel Food, a non-profit who cook, prepare and deliver meals to people critical illness who’re at a greater risk amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Sporting marks and dressed down in jeans, the royal couple began by delivering the non-perishable meals to six vulnerable people in the city on Easter Sunday and returned to drop off another 14 on Wednesday.
Project Angel Food’s executive director Richard Ayoub told PEOPLE the Sussex’s kept a low-profile throughout their voluntary work, adding the charity was ‘completely honored’ to have them onboard.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle delivered food to Los Angeles residents living with critical illnesses, it has been revealed. Pictured, the couple on a royal tour last year
‘They were extremely down to earth and genuinely interested in every single person they met,’ Ayoub continued.
‘They engaged with our chefs, they engaged with clients — they just wanted to make sure that people felt the love and appreciation. Their goal was really to just honor our chefs and staffs and volunteers by being of service.
‘What Meghan said is she wanted to show Harry Los Angeles through the eyes of philanthropy. It’s just beautiful,’ Ayoub added.
‘There’s obviously a great deal of love and selflessness between them. They both are individuals who want to know about others.
‘Our clients are clients who are often forgotten. They really wanted to go visit these people. They wanted to see them and talk to them and hopefully put a smile on their faces.’
Ayoub said Meghan had learned about Project Angel Food back when she previously lived in LA and was desperate to help out with their cause.
‘She said she wanted to do something to give back on Easter and was talking to her mom [Doria Ragland] and her mom told her that Project Angel Food needs help and Meghan said, “Yes, brilliant.”,’ Ayoub told PEOPLE.
‘They really wanted to ease the workload of our drivers because they deliver to between 50 and 60 people a day.
‘Meghan and Harry took about six deliveries last Sunday and then they said, “We want to do it again and we want more,” so they took 14 deliveries on Wednesday.’
Before the couple set out on their delivery routes they first paid a visit to the charity’s headquarters, where Ayoub gave them a tour.
The charity director said both Meghan and Harry asked a number of questions, showing genuine interest in learning how the food is medically-tailored for each client.
Meghan and Harry also met with the non-profit’s chefs before the royal couple were taken through the charity’s social distancing protocols for the deliveries, requiring them to wear gloves and masks, while ensuring they stayed six feet away from the client.
The couple volunteered with local charity Project Angel Food on Easter Sunday and returned on Wednesday to drop-off non-perishable meals to 20 more vulnerable people in the city. Pictured, Meghan at the Hubb Community Kitchen in London in November 2018
One recipient of the royal delivery was Dan Tyrell, who admitted he didn’t recognize the couple when he first opened the door of his West Hollywood apartment.
‘I thought that tall red-headed guy looked pretty familiar, and that girl was very pretty. Then I saw the large black SUVs with the security guards behind them,’ Tyrell said to WEHOville.com
Speaking to ET Online, Project Angel Food’s executive director Richard Ayoub told how the couple contacted the charity after learning its drivers are ‘overloaded’ needed more support as they try and feed people during quarantine.
‘They told us they heard our drivers were overloaded and wanted to volunteer to lighten the drivers’ workload,’ Mr Ayoub said.
He explained the couple followed strict social distancing guidelines, wearing masks and gloves while keeping 6ft or more apart from any members of the public.
Project Angel Food serves 1600 meals a day, which will now rise to 2000 during the coronavirus crisis, ensuring some of those most at risk are fed.
It is thought to be the first charity publicly supported by Harry and Meghan since their move to California from Canada. The couple are now in quarantine with their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, who turns one next month.
Yesterday it also emerged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had donated £90,000 to British charity Feeding Britain to support efforts to keep vulnerable populations fed during lockdown.
The couple announced they are launching a new charitable foundation named Archewell this month.
They said they ‘look forward’ to getting started with the Archewell foundation, which will replace their Sussex Royal brand.
The pair also have plans to include their own charity as well as a website, as part of their new venture.