This is what Donald and Melania Trump are sending Meghan and Harry as a wedding gift
President and Melania Trump have revealed their wedding gift to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: a cash donation.
Despite not receiving an invitation to the royal wedding on Saturday at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the first couple is following wedding etiquette and sending a gift. “President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will be making a contribution to one of the seven charities the royal couple has designated in lieu of gifts,” White House spokesperson Lindsay Walters said in a statement Friday to Us Weekly.
In April, Markle and Harry, whose family has a reported net worth of $88 billion, requested in a palace statement that in lieu of wedding gifts, fans should make a charitable donation.
“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,” read the statement. “The couple have therefore asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion considers making a donation to charity, rather than sending a wedding gift.”
The couple handpicked seven different U.K.-based organizations: CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association); Crisis, which aims to end homelessness; the Myna Mahila Foundation, which provides professional support for aspiring businesswomen; Scotty’s Little Soldiers, for bereaved armed forces children; StreetGames, a sports charity for low-income communities, Surfers Against Sewage, a national marine conservation; and the Wilderness Foundation U.K., a nature program for at-risk youth.
Meghan and Harry aren’t slighting the first couple by not inviting them — they’re simply following protocol. In April, a palace spokesperson said in a statement: “It has been decided that an official list of political leaders — both U.K. and international — is not required for Prince Harry and Ms. Markle’s wedding. Her Majesty’s Government was consulted on this decision, which was taken by The Royal Household.”
In September, the prince met Melania at the Invictus Games (a Paralympic event he created in 2014) in Toronto, Canada, and their meeting provoked controversy for a photo showing Harry making a hand sign that people called the “signal of the devil.” However, according to the Hill, the two exchanged pleasantries, with Harry remarking to FLOTUS “You’ve been very busy,” and she congratulating him on “doing a fantastic job.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to say “I do” on Saturday, May 19, at Windsor Castle. Yahoo will cover the historic event live from London from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. BST (British Summer Time), 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET. Bookmark this link to follow along live.
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