Kensington Palace have today revealed more details about Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding plans, namely the charities the couple wish to support in lieu of any wedding gifts.
Meghan and Harry are said to be “incredibly grateful” for all the goodwill and kind wishes they have received since their engagement announcement, and their big day is just six weeks off. They recognise that this goodwill may stretch to members of the public sending wedding presents, and so the bride and groom-to-be have chosen seven charities which they would encourage the public to consider donating to, as opposed to sending presents. It is hoped that as many people as possible will therefore benefit from the public’s generosity.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have chosen seven charities for the public to consider donating to, instead of sending wedding presents (Stephen Lock / i-Images)
While the couple do not currently have any official links with the chosen charities, the organisations represent their shared interests and causes which they are both passionate about, according to Kensington Palace; they have also opted for smaller organisations, bringing much-deserved awareness to these charities addressing tough issues.
The first of the couple’s chosen charities is CHIVA, the Children’s HIV Association. CHIVA supports young people in the UK and Ireland who are growing up with HIV, and also offers familial support. The organisation aims to give young people suffering from the condition a more optimistic outlook with regards to their future prospects.
HIV awareness has been a long-standing part of Harry’s charitable work, and the couple’s first joint engagement involved supporting AIDs charities. The Prince’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was one of the most famous supporters of those with HIV/AIDs before her death. Seeing the plight of children suffering from AIDs also inspired Harry to establish his own charity, Sentebale, which helps orphans in the African kingdom of Lesotho.
Harry and Meghan’s first joint engagement took place on World AIDs Day (Kensington Palace)
The second charity is Crisis, the UK’s national charity for homeless people. Crisis focuses on supporting homeless people by enabling them to rebuild their lives and escape living on the streets permanently.
The Prince and his fiancee have also suggested donating to the Myna Mahila Foundation, a charity based in Mumbai. The foundation aims to empower women who are living in the city’s urban slums, by providing them with a network which encourages them to grow professionally and as individuals. Myna’s support includes arming women with skills such as English, Maths and self-defence, and also giving them information about menstrual hygiene, so young girls can go to school and have real opportunities in their lives.
It is expected that female empowerment will play a key role in Meghan’s royal life, after her impassioned speech on the issue at the Royal Foundation Forum in February.
Preach, Meghan Markle! The soon-to-be royal announced this morning that she plans to focus on women’s empowerment issue: https://t.co/qF7ynR0yK7 ? pic.twitter.com/hYoiDxrKKY
— Marie Claire (@marieclaire) 8 April 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan have also chosen Scotty’s Little Soldiers, an organisation for bereaved Armed Forces children. The charity was founded by Nikki Scott, a war widow who was inspired by her own experience to offer support for children who have lost a parent who was a member of the British Armed Forces. Harry, of course, served in the British Army for ten years, reaching the rank of captain, and is particularly proud of his charitable efforts to support serving members and veterans, notably through the Invictus Games.
StreetGames is another of the organisations Harry and Meghan have chosen to support. StreetGames uses sport to help change lives across the UK by encouraging communities to become healthier and happier. The charity particularly focuses on developing a love of sport amongst young people so that future generations will grow up to be healthier and more successful.
The couple’s chosen charities support various causes, including HIV sufferers, the homeless and bereaved Armed Forces children. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / i-Images)
Meghan and Harry have also followed in Prince Charles’ footsteps by supporting a conservation charity: Surfers Against Sewage is a national marine conservation charity which hopes to inspire communities to protect oceans, beaches, waves and wildlife.
Lastly, the soon-to-be newlyweds have opted for The Wilderness Foundation UK, an organisation which promotes the benefits and enjoyment of nature. The foundation tries to build resilience in vulnerable teenagers, promotes science and also introduces rural employment opportunities to urban youth.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also chose charities for donations ahead of their wedding in 2011; over £1 million was raised for good causes the couple had shown their support for.
With the wedding day fast approaching, keep up-to-date with the latest announcements at The Crown Chronicles as we eagerly await the big day!
1 comment
I hope that The royal couple of prince harry and meghan markle will be blessed by more people by supporting the charities.