The Duke of Sussex met with US firefighters and their dogs ahead of receiving an “unequivocal apology” from the publisher of The Sun for “serious intrusion” into his private life.
Harry was pictured with the Salinas Fire Department and some of their therapy animals, including Cruz and Taffy, in images posted by the crew the day before the duke settled his long-running case against News Group Newspapers (NGN).
The firefighters have been working to combat the Los Angeles wildfires, with the dogs offering “much-needed support”, and the duke’s visit was described as a “morale boost”.
The post showed Harry chatting to the crew in the sunshine and crouching down to meet and stroke the dogs.
It said that Cruz and Taffy have been “actively assisting in the efforts to combat the LA fires, providing much-needed support to firefighters and affected communities”.
The encounter with Harry “not only boosted their morale but also emphasized the importance of community and collaboration in the face of such devastating challenges”, the fire department said.
Harry also met firefighters from South Dakota, who were drafted in to help in southern California, and chatted to them on Monday “with no media in sight”, South Dakota Wildland Fire said.
The duke and the Duchess of Sussex hugged residents and spoke to emergency crews when they previously visited a meal distribution site for people affected by the fires.
But they were criticised by some and accused of being “disaster tourists”.
On Wednesday, Harry settled his legal action against NGN at the 11th hour, receiving a “substantial” payout and an apology from The Sun publisher for “serious intrusion” by the newspaper, including unlawful activities by private investigators working for the publication.
In a response read outside the High Court in London on his behalf, the duke hailed it as a “monumental victory”.
“News UK is finally held to account for its illegal actions and its blatant disregard for the law,” the statement said.
The duke had previously vowed not to settle the claim, saying he was pursuing “truth and accountability” and that he was “the last person that can actually achieve that” after hundreds of others settled their cases against NGN.
