Prince Harry Attends José Andrés Cookbook Party In L.A. 

Prince Harry has been busy. Not with palace drama, or with media-manufactured feuds, but with real life: supporting friends, showing up for humanitarian work, and building a life that does not revolve around the next “return to duties” press release.

On May 27, Harry made a solo appearance at a celebration for chef José Andrés’ new cookbook, Spain My Way: Eat, Drink, and Cook Like a Spaniard. The party was held at Andrés’ restaurant San Laurel in downtown Los Angeles. Maria Shriver, Kyra Sedgwick, Tyler James Williams, Wolfgang Puck and Roy Choi were also there. And Harry? He looked relaxed, happy and genuinely pleased to be celebrating a friend.

Of course, the royal press could not just report that. They had to imply that Harry was somehow choosing José over his own daughter’s birthday, even though the event was on May 27, and Lilibet’s birthday is June 4. Basic fact‑checking? Not a priority when there is a narrative to push.

Prince Harry made a solo appearance to support his pal José Andrés’ latest cookbook release party in Los Angeles.

On June 1, it was revealed that the Duke of Sussex, 41, attended the event celebrating the publication of Andrés’ new book, Spain My Way: Eat, Drink, and Cook Like a Spaniard.

The bash was held on Wednesday, May 27, at Andrés’ restaurant San Laurel at the Conrad Los Angeles hotel, and Maria Shriver, Kyra Sedgwick, Tyler James Williams, Wolfgang Puck and Roy Choi also attended.

The May 27 release party fell on the same day that the cookbook was named a New York Times bestseller.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been friends with restaurateur and humanitarian Andrés, 56, for several years. His World Central Kitchen nonprofit was the first partner of their charity Archewell Philanthropies.

Exclusively speaking to PEOPLE about that experience, Andrés said of Harry and Meghan: “I mean, listen, I consider them friends. I know they are in the spotlight — not just in America, but in Britain — and what I can tell you from what I know is that they don’t have to, but they decide to do it.”

People

Final thoughts

José Andrés is a national treasure. World Central Kitchen has been one of those entities that fought to keep Gaza fed. They are like the Doctors Without Borders of food, showing up after natural disasters, in conflict zones, wherever people are hungry. Stephen Colbert gave him a two-million-dollar check on his last show, and honestly? Well deserved.

Harry showing up to support José is not a surprise. These two have been friends for years. World Central Kitchen was the first partner of Archewell Philanthropies. Harry and Meghan worked with them during the California wildfires. Andrés appeared on With Love, Meghan and joked about Harry not liking lobster.

But the royal press could not resist trying to turn it into drama. Hello! and others ran headlines implying that Harry was skipping Lilibet’s birthday to hang out with José. Never mind that the event was on May 27 and Lilibet’s birthday is June 4. Facts are optional when you are trying to make Harry look like a bad father.

And then there is the broader pattern: the royal press has a habit of framing anyone connected to Harry and Meghan as if they must eventually choose the Waleses. They tried it with Gwyneth Paltrow (who promptly made a video with Meghan mocking the whole thing). They tried it with José Andrés, even though José has worked with William on Earthshot, too, because he is a humanitarian who works with everyone.

The desperation is embarrassing. Not everyone is playing such high school sides game. José Andrés is too busy saving lives to care about palace drama. The royal press can keep spinning. The rest of us will be over here, reading José’s recipes and remembering that real service does not require a crown.