Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding gifts revealed, from baby koalas to an Indian bull
World leaders have revealed how they plan to congratulate the royal couple
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Your support makes all the difference.From knowing how much to spend to avoiding duplicate gifts, buying presents for newlyweds can be a thorny issue – especially when the couple are royalty.
Luckily though, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who married at the weekend at St George’s Chapel in Windsor – made it easier for anyone wanting to mark their nuptials by requesting just one thing – a donation to charity.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle asked that friends, family and well-wishers who wanted to gift them something donate to one of seven charities close to their hearts including Children’s HIV association (CHIVA); homeless charity Crisis; the Myna Mahila Foundation, supporting women in Mumbai’s slums; Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity supporting children who have lost a parent in the Armed Forces; young persons charity Street Games; marine conservation organisation Surfers Against Sewage (SAS); and, finally, the Wilderness Foundation.
Despite Harry and Meghan’s wedding not hosting as many international or political figures as the 2011 nuptials of William and Kate, world leaders have been quick to reveal what they will gift the happy couple.
Here’s what we know the newlyweds have received so far.
Justin Trudeau
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement on Saturday to congratulate Harry and Meghan announcing that Canada will be donating $50,000 (£29,000) to youth sports-focused charity Jumpstart.
“Today, Canadians joined in celebration as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married,” the release read.
“To celebrate their union, Canada will donate $50,000 to Jumpstart, a Canadian charity dedicated to making play and sports more accessible to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Since 2005, Jumpstart has helped more than 1.6 million children of all abilities get out on the field and be part of a team.”
Donald Trump
Despite not receiving an invitation to the couple’s wedding, a White House spokesperson confirmed that Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump “would be making a contribution to one of the seven charities the royal couple has designated in lieu of gifts.”
Peta India
Undoubtedly one of the most unique gifts that Harry and Meghan will receive, Peta India has announced that it has adopted an Indian bull who was found weak and injured on behalf of the happy couple.
The organisation has even named the bull Merry – a hybrid of Harry and Meghan’s names – in their honour. He will spend the rest of his days relaxing in peace at a sanctuary in Maharashtra, India.
Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters that the country will be making a donation of $5,000 (£2,500) to the New Zealand charity Pillars, which is aimed at supporting the children and families of prisoners.
Malcolm Turnbull
Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull revealed on Instagram that the country will be making a donation to the Invictus Games charity – which are being hosted down under in Sydney later this year – and will also be presenting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with traditional Aussie Akubra hats.
Emmanuel Macron
The French president has gifted the royal couple a bespoke piece from ST Dupont’s 007 collection which incudes a pen and a lighter.
It’s not the first time ST Dupont has donated a gift for a British royal wedding either. In 1947, then French president Vincent Auriol presented a bespoke travel case to Queen Elizabeth in celebration of her marriage to Prince Philip, while former President Nicholas Sarkozy, gifted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a travel case for their wedding in 2011.
New South Wales
In addition to Malcom Turnbull’s generous gift the Australian region of New South Wales has revealed that they will be naming two koalas after Harry and Meghan.
The new additions at Taronga Zoo have been given the royal names “as a gift of the people of NSW”. The region will also be making a donation of $5,000 (£2,800) “towards preserving koala habitats.”
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