José Andrés Shares the Way His Friends Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are ‘Like Every Other Family’ (Exclusive)
José Andrés Shares the Way His Friends Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are ‘Like Every Other Family’ (Exclusive)
Chiara KimFri, June 5, 2026 at 9:40 PM UTC
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José Andrés shared how his friends Prince Harry and Meghan are like every other familyCredit: Craig Barritt/Getty for TIME; Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty -
José Andrés shared how Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gather in the kitchen like any other family
The chef praised the couple's philanthropic efforts, including their work with his World Central Kitchen nonprofit
Prince Harry supported Andrés at his cookbook release party for 'Spain My Way', which Andrés said is an effort to share Spanish cuisine
José Andrés is giving insight into his friendship with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
The celebrity chef, 56, shared with PEOPLE how the couple comes together just like any other family while discussing his new cookbook, Spain My Way.
"They made their kitchen the meeting place like every other family," the chef said of his friends.
"I love how Meghan interacts with her children and food," he added.
Andrés was featured in the Duchess of Sussex's lifestyle series With Love, Meghan on Netflix. On the finale of the show's second season, Meghan revealed that her husband doesn't like a certain type of seafood.
"You know who doesn't like lobster? My husband," Meghan told Andrés.
José Andrés and Meghan Markle in 'With Love, Meghan'Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
"And you married him anyway?" Andrés joked back, prompting Meghan to laugh.
The chef described to PEOPLE how gathering with Meghan and Prince Harry is just like meeting with anyone else.
"When we see each other or when we have conversations, we talk about what everybody else talks [about], right? Life, family, good times, new dish, new restaurant," he explained.
The chef has been friends with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for several years.
His World Central Kitchen nonprofit was the first partner of Archewell Philanthropies, which the couple founded after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020.
Andrés described how World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to communities impacted by disasters, brings food and water quickly in emergencies through on-the-ground aid.
"In the worst moments of humanity, you see the best of humanity shows up," he said of the organization, which is in its 16th year.
He said that he often gets calls or texts from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when disasters occur asking "what can we do here and can we help you?"
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Prince Harry made an appearance at José Andrés' book party on May 27Credit: José Andrés Gropu
"Nobody finds out about those moments and they do it often, all the time," he said.
In the wake of the California wildfires in January 2025, Harry and Meghan assisted with the organization's relief efforts, visiting its hub in Pasadena to distribute food and supplies to victims of the Eaton fire and thanking relief teams with Andrés at the food stations.
"They are always caring about all the things happening in the world. They don't have to do that," Andrés said. "They sincerely do it because they care."
He added that he loved how Prince Harry made a visit to Ukraine in April. The Duke of Sussex went to the country to highlight those helping the injured and veterans of the war and to give a speech at a special security conference.
His Invictus Games Foundation is active in Ukraine and aids wounded, injured and sick veterans and armed forces members in their recovery.
"Not a lot of people do that," the chef said of Prince Harry's visit.
He added of the couple, "They can decide to live a life in the comfort of their home, but I love that they are there even when nobody's looking, they're there just making sure that they can also be part of the solution."
"That's why I'm very proud to call them friends," he said. He added that he respects the couple for always being the focus of public attention yet maintaining a "normal life."
Prince Harry recently made a solo appearance to support Andrés at his cookbook release party in Los Angeles on May 27. The chef released Spain My Way, a collection of Spanish recipes, on May 19.
Andrés said the book combines the things he is "a little bit good at, which is Spanish cooking and storytelling."
"It was always this kind of personal mission of getting Spain and Spain's cooking more known," he said.
"Spanish food more than any other is a lifestyle thing," he said. "Tapas is a way of life in Spain."
The chef highlighted the diversity of ingredients and cooking within different regions in Spain.
"That diversity for such a small country is very unique and it's very, very special and very powerful," he said.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
