Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are paying it forward for their wedding day. Ahead of their May nuptials, the royal couple has asked that people donate to charity instead of sending them a gift. "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," Kensington Palace said in a statement.
For the special occasion, the couple has chosen seven organisations that represent issues close to their hearts, including sport for social change, women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV, and the Armed Forces. As Meghan gets one step closer to being a royal, we can't help but wonder if these charities reflect which ones she will choose to be a patron of once she officially ties the knot with Harry. Get your checkbook ready as you read off the official list of charities for their royal wedding ahead.
1. CHIVA (Children's HIV Association)
The charities include @chivaprojects, which supports children growing up with HIV and their families. The charity helps to create a more hopeful and optimistic future for them, ensuring they achieve their greatest potential. https://t.co/W3AQovuL2H pic.twitter.com/BvnZjmzPOl
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018
2. Crisis
.@crisis_uk has also been chosen by the couple. Crisis helps people directly out of homelessness, working side by side with thousands of people each year to help them rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good. https://t.co/k7ZYzI1gbF pic.twitter.com/DTPsARVdc9
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018
3. Myna Mahila Foundation
Next up is @MynaMahila, which empowers women in Mumbai's slums by providing them with a trusted network, stable employment & the chance to grow as individuals & businesswomen, and breaks taboos around menstrual hygiene. https://t.co/suzul1y9cw pic.twitter.com/eIG3GP6bW7
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018
4. Scotty's Little Soldiers
The couple have also chosen @CorporalScotty, a charity that offers vital support and activities to children who have lost a parent while serving in the British Armed Forces, helping them to smile again. https://t.co/23tYNy7rSC pic.twitter.com/G6CISr2TvU
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018
5. StreetGames
Also selected is @StreetGames, a charity which uses sport to empower young people to kick-start a cycle of positive change in their own lives. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle visited one of the charity's projects together in Cardiff earlier this year. https://t.co/UPY6Nyt2k6 pic.twitter.com/0XQJOL6iNj
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018
6. Surfers Against Sewage
The charities also include @sascampaigns, a national marine conservation & campaigning charity, which inspires, unites & empowers communities to take action to protect oceans, beaches, waves & wildlife. https://t.co/J7yExoY411 pic.twitter.com/IpXgh23Y13
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018
7. The Wilderness Foundation UK
Finally, the couple have chosen @WildernessUK, which promotes the benefits & enjoyment of wild nature. Through the great outdoors, the charity helps build resilience in vulnerable teenagers & introduces rural employment to urban youth. https://t.co/PqKQ9UkV2B pic.twitter.com/vL4UEJTlWL
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018