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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ask wellwishers to donate to Norfolk charity instead of buying wedding gifts
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Norfolk at Christmas. Picture: Paul John Bayfield - Credit: PAUL JOHN BAYFIELD
A Norfolk charity which supports bereaved forces children has been chosen by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to receive donations in lieu of wedding gifts.
Nikki Scott of Scotty's Little Soldiers. Picture: Sonya Duncan - Credit: Sonya Duncan
The Prince and his bride-to-be, who are due to marry at Windsor Great Chapel on Saturday, May 19, are asking wellwishers not to buy them presents.
They have instead nominated seven organisations which reflect their shared values people can donate to.
One of them is King's Lynn-based Scotty's Little Soldiers which was set up by army widow Nikki Scott after her husband Lee was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
'To have been personally chosen by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is an incredible honour for Scotty's Little Soldiers and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity,' she said.
'Having met Prince Harry at Buckingham Palace last year, I know that the Armed Forces and looking after the children our heroes have left behind is close to his heart.
'Scotty's Little Soldiers offers a vital support network for children, who at such a young age, have already gone through so much. Just having the opportunity to spend time with other children who have gone through something similar or receiving a gift on the anniversary of their parent's death can help reassure them that they are not alone.'
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MORE - Read the moving story behind Scotty's Little Soldiers
Other charities chosen are CHIVA (Children's HIV Association), homeless charity Crisis, the Myna Mahila Foundation, StreetGames, Surfers Against Sewage and the Wilderness Foundation UK.
Kensington Palace said: '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. 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 have chosen 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. Many of these are small charities, and the couple are pleased to be able to amplify and shine a light on their work.'
