Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ask for charity donations - not wedding presents
Harry and Meghan say they are "incredibly grateful" for the "generosity of spirit" shown by the public since their engagement.
Monday 9 April 2018 19:38, UK
If you were thinking about what to get Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their wedding, forget about a toaster or a set of cutlery - they would rather you give money to charity.
In the latest announcement from Kensington Palace ahead of the big day on 19 May, it has been revealed the couple have chosen seven charities they would like the public to give money to if they were considering sending them a gift.
The palace said: "Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle are incredibly grateful for the goodwill shown to them since the announcement of their engagement and are keen that as many people as possible benefit from this generosity of spirit.
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"The couple have therefore asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion considers making a donation to charity, rather than sending a wedding gift."
Harry and Meghan do not have formal links with the seven charities that they have chosen, but they do reflect their joint passions for causes including sport for social change, women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the Armed Forces.
They have deliberately chosen a number fof smaller charities "to be able to amplify and shine a light on their work".
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The seven charities they have chosen are CHIVA (Children's HIV Association), Crisis, the Myna Mahila Foundation, Scotty's Little Soldiers - a charity for bereaved Armed Forces children, StreetGames, Surfers Against Sewage, and The Wilderness Foundation UK.
Information on how to make donations is on , with links created to each of the charity's websites to make it as easy as possible to give money.
Kensington Palace said the announcement was aimed at the general public to channel the outpouring of goodwill towards the couple.
A palace spokesperson declined to comment on whether the couple had also sent out a formal gift list to the guests invited to the ceremony and reception, but said like other weddings invited guests would also have the option to make charity donations.
