Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Select These 7 Charities In Lieu of Wedding Gifts

By Kim Hughes 4/26/18 | www.samaritanmag.com

Good news for anyone hand-wringing about what to buy Prince Harry and bride-to-be Meghan Markle as a gift for their May 19 nuptials. And we know how stressful china and flatware selection can be, especially when your recipients are royals.

To harness “the goodwill shown to them since the announcement of their engagement,” the dazzling duo has earmarked seven charitable organizations in the UK as desired recipients of donations in lieu of wedding gifts.

What’s cool is the diversity and relatively small size of the orgs Hank and Megs have selected, which reflect their “shared values,” namely sport for social change, women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV, and the Armed Forces.

In a prepared statement on the official monarchy website, it’s noted that: “Prince Harry and Ms. Markle do not have any formal relationships with the charities chosen. The couple have chosen charities which represent a range of issues that they are passionate about. Many of these are small charities, and the couple are pleased to be able to amplify and shine a light on their work.”

Indeed. The chosen charities are:

CHIVA (Children's HIV Association) which “supports children growing up with HIV and their families, across the UK and Ireland. The charity aims to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people with HIV and to create a more hopeful and optimistic future for them, ensuring they achieve their greatest potential.”

Crisis, which “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."

Myna Mahila Foundation “which empowers women in Mumbai’s urban slums, by providing them with a trusted network, where they are supported professionally and personally to help them grow as individuals and businesswomen.”

Scotty’s Little Soldiers which “offers vital support to children who have lost a parent while serving in the British Armed Forces.”

StreetGames “which uses sport to change lives across the UK, helping people and communities to become healthier, safer and more successful.”

Surfers Against Sewage, “a national marine conservation and campaigning charity, which inspires, unites and empowers communities to take action to protect oceans, beaches, waves and wildlife.”

The Wilderness Foundation UK which "promotes the benefits and enjoyment of wild nature. Through the great outdoors, the charity helps build resilience in vulnerable teenagers, introduces rural employment to urban youth, and brings science to life.”

While it’s easy to by cynical in the face of what is basically a three-ring media circus posing as a family celebration, we salute the couple for at least trying to redirect the spotlight to worthy causes. Rock on, Harry and Megs, rock on.

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* Samaritanmag.com is an online magazine covering the good deeds of individuals, charities and businesses.