Prince Harry and his fiance have named seven charities they'd like the public to donate to instead of sending them wedding gifts
Members of the public are being asked to donate to charity instead of give wedding gifts to Prince Harry and his fiance Meghan Markle.
The royal couple have named seven charities that will benefit from public donations in place of gifts to celebrate the royal wedding on 19 May.
The Children's HIV Association, Crisis, The Myna Mahila Foundation (an Indian charity Meghan Markle has visited), Scotty's Little Soldiers (a charity for children whose parents have died while serving in the armed forces), StreetGames, Surfers Against Sewage and The Wilderness Foundation have all been named.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The couple have chosen charities that represent a range of issues they are passionate about, including sport for social change, women’s empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the armed forces.
“Many of these are small charities, and the couple are pleased to be able to amplify and shine a light on their work.”
In Scotland, the Wilderness Foundation partners with Scottish Land and Estates to run the Imbewu programme which introduces urban young people to life in the rural sector, helping them to grow employability skills and a love of the wonders of Scottish natural heritage.
Young people come from over 30 schools across Scotland. A range of estates including Glenlivet, Atholl Estates, and Douglas and Angus Estate, host groups who meet rural staff teams, undertake wilderness journeys through the wildest parts of Scotland and volunteer on environmental or farm projects.
Jo Roberts, chief executive of the Wilderness Foundation, said: "We are deeply touched and honoured that Prince Harry and Ms Markle have chosen to support The Wilderness Foundation and its beneficiaries.
“Whilst teaching conservation values, we in turn use the positive power of nature to support and recharge the lives of challenged and vulnerable young people and adults.
"Young people, mental wellbeing and conserving nature are causes that the couple have championed. These are all themes at the heart of the Wilderness Foundation."
Homeless charity Crisis was chosen after a local councillor controversially called for homeless people to be cleared from Windsor in the run up to the wedding.
Jon Sparkes, the chief executive of Crisis, said: “We are hugely grateful that Prince Harry and Ms Markle are asking the public to support Crisis as they celebrate their wedding. Homelessness is one of the most urgent issues of our time, but at Crisis we know what it takes to end it.
“Donations will help us to support more people to leave homelessness behind through our housing, employment, education and advice services across the country, and to campaign for the changes needed to solve the homelessness crisis once and for all.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, also requested donations to a charitable fund instead of wedding gifts. Following their 2011 wedding, it was revealed £1,058,367 had been donated. It was distributed to 26 charities.
