SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised attendees with their presence at Kevin Costner's One805 Live! charity event for first responders on Friday, September 22.
The event took place at Costner's oceanside polo field, situated close to his luxurious $145 million Santa Barbara estate.
The 68-year-old 'Yellowstone' star, who recently settled his divorce with Christine Baumgartner amicably, was seen in high spirits, exchanging smiles with celebrities, local police, and firefighters at the gathering.
Kevin Costner's One805 Love fundraiser
Kevin Costner's One805 Love fundraiser was a notable event held at his lavish oceanside estate in Summerland.
This event was aimed at supporting first responders across Santa Barbara County, organized by One805, a non-profit organization.
The flagship festival was headlined by Maroon 5 and helped raise money to "support First Responders across the province," the official website said.
The fundraiser offered exclusive ticket options, such as the 'last chance' tables, with prices set at $12,000.
Speaking at the event, Kevin said, "Good Afternoon everyone, I get asked a lot by my friends who have no manners ... 'Kev, what's this place cost, what's it worth?' I can just simply tell you on a day like today, it's worth every penny."
"We can celebrate people that you'd maybe never meet, the ones who are the first to rush in," he added, per Daily Mail.
"It's a place where I've had a lot of good luck in my life and I try to not put a wall around it."
Previously, One805 successfully conducted its first fundraiser, One805LIVE!, at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, California, on April 16, 2023, raising over $90,000 with a stellar turnout of more than 550 people.
Celebs who attended Kevin Costner's One805 Love fundraiser
The prestigious fundraiser attracted a host of distinguished guests. Esteemed figures like Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, and Ellen DeGeneres, attended the charity event.
Katy Perry's parents, Keith and Mary Hudson, were also in attendance.
Prince Harry wore a black fit, while Meghan chose a chic monochrome jacket and an elegant 'clean-girl' hairstyle. The Duke and Duchess engaged in conversations backstage with Kevin, VIP guests, and senior police and firefighting officials.
Harry and Meghan took the stage as special guests, with Meghan presenting Kevin with an honorary award. Following this, they engaged in a mini royal-style walkabout, warmly greeting other attendees.
Internet slams Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for 'cringy' behavior
However, people online have criticized the former royals, labeling Meghan as "cringy" for "mothering" Prince Harry and treating him "like a clueless child".
The Royal News Updates page wrote on X, "It’s just amazing to watch Meghan Markle continually treat Prince Harry like a clueless child. The mothering of a grown man by his wife is so cringy. Also, notice how Kevin Costner didn’t event acknowledge them really. It’s rather funny."
Another X user replied, "Could it be more awkward?? She was trying to get the mic of that woman haha she wasn’t allowed a speech! This tells me, the award thingy was put together last minute with these two! Cringy how she keeps pushing and pulling him! Noone on stage cared."
"Seems as if they asked Harry to give out the honour but Meghan had to get involved she had to lift it off the table and push Harry along I’m pretty sure he could have lifted it himself No one is interested in her it’s Harry they want, she has to piggyback on him all the time," a third stated.
Another user wrote, "MM is a ridiculous woman, and you are right, treats PH like he didn’t know where he was going. She is appalling, it looks so bad for the poor man."
"She's pushing him over there. He wouldn't know what to do otherwise, I guess," someone else quipped, with another adding, "It’s really funny she pushes everyone around and looks so disappointed when Costner doesn’t even look at her!!"
A user sarcastically wrote, "Now, H just wait, mummy will pick up the award, just to be safe, you take it over there. Careful! Careful! give it to the nice man with the mic and then come straight back. Good boy!"
Someone else noted, "Omg I just noticed Harry extened his hand for a shake but no one shook it so he just rubbed it together. Kevin also ignoring them."
