Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced Monday that they don’t want wedding guests to send gifts and instead asked them to donate to one of the seven charities they selected.
“Prince Harry & Ms. Meghan Markle are incredibly grateful for the goodwill they have received since their engagement, & have asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion of their wedding considers giving to charity, instead of sending a gift,” Kensington Palace tweeted. (SLIDESHOW: 18 Times Meghan Markle Already Looked Like A Royal)
Prince Harry & Ms. Meghan Markle are incredibly grateful for the goodwill they have received since their engagement, & have asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion of their wedding considers giving to charity, instead of sending a gift. https://t.co/lzfrRmoeUv pic.twitter.com/nxrTZtIKBY
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018
“The couple have personally chosen 7 charities which represent a range of issues that they are passionate about, including sport for social change, women’s empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the Armed Forces,” the statement added.
The couple have personally chosen 7 charities which represent a range of issues that they are passionate about, including sport for social change, women’s empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the Armed Forces.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018
One of the organizations listed was CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association), as Prince Harry has picked up the mantle from his mother Princess Diana who was focused on raising awareness of AIDS and HIV, according to People magazine.
“We are delighted and honored that Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen to recognize our work supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people living with HIV in the UK and Ireland,” Dr. Amanda Williams, Chair of CHIVA said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness of the complex issues for young people growing up with HIV. We are a very small charity and through our work we support over 1,000 young people living with HIV. All donations will make a significant difference to our programs of work and lead to direct improvements in the lives of these young people.”
Other charities that the pair selected included a homeless charity called Crisis, the Myna Mahila Foundation which helps empower women in Mumbai, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, StreetGames, Surfers Against Sewage and The Wilderness Foundation UK.
The royal wedding takes place at St. George’s chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19.