Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have put the kibosh on toasters, personalised doormats, plush bathrobes and all other ‘wedding-y’ presents.
Kensington Palace announced Monday that the soon-to-be married pair have instead requested those who wish to contribute to their big day with a gift instead make a donation to a selection of personally selected charities.
“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,” the palace said in a statement on Twitter.
“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 charities they’ve selected (click here for a fuller description) are Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA), Crisis (which seeks to end homelessness), the Myna Mahila Foundation (which empowers women in Mumbai’s urban slums), Scotty’s Little Soldiers (which supports bereaved Armed Forces children), StreetGames (which encourages young people to embrace sport), Surfers Against Sewage, and The Wilderness Foundation UK.
And while the loved-up duo have no formal relationships with the charities listed, it’s clear they’ve chosen organisations that resonate with them personally.
Harry has made it his mission to continue his mother, Princess Diana’s incredible efforts to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS — hence the Children’s HIV Association — meanwhile, Meghan visited the Myna Mahila Foundation during a recent trip to India. Earlier in the year, the couple also jointly visited StreetGames.
Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, will tie the knot at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19.
Last month, Kensington Palace confirmed that formal invitations had already been sent out.
The invitations, posted mid-March, were produced by Barnard and Westwood.
“The invitations follow many years of Royal tradition and have been made by Barnard Westwood,” a statement from the palace read alongside a photo of the royal invite. “They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink.”
WATCH: Meghan and Harry’s invitations were each made by hand. Post continues…
It’s clear a lot of thought have gone into the invitations, as the palace notes that “using American ink on English card, the invitations are printed in gold and black, then burnished to bring out the shine, and gilded around the edge.”
Around 600 people should expect an invite to the service, with a select 200 close friends also scoring a place at an after party at Frogmore House on the castle grounds. That’s where the royal couple took their stunning engagement photos and it’s also where they spent time together as their relationship blossomed.
With the guest list finalised and invitations on their way, the countdown is well and truly on! We can barely wait.
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