Coronavirus: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle donate £90,000 of royal wedding profits to hunger charity

Royal couple say they are 'delighted' the money is going to 'such a great cause'

Sarah Jones
Thursday 16 April 2020 08:17 BST
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have donated the profits made from their wedding broadcast to a charity helping to feed British children during the coronavirus pandemic.

The royal couple have contributed more than £90,000 to the charity Feeding Britain, which helps provide families in need with hot meals and food packages in a bid to eliminate hunger in the UK.

At the time of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018, the couple agreed with the BBC that any profits made from the broadcast of their nuptials would be donated to a charity of their choice.

A spokesperson for the royals said they chose to offer the funds to Feeding Britain after being “moved” by the charity’s efforts during the Covid-19 crisis.

“The Duke and Duchess were able to speak to the Archbishop recently, and were moved to hear all about the work Feeding Britain was doing to support people during Covid-19,” the spokesperson said.

“They have particularly fond memories of their visit to the citizens' supermarket in Birkenhead, especially the generosity and compassion of everyone working there to help others.

“They are delighted to be able to ensure this money is donated to such a great cause.”

The donation has been called a “godsend” by Andrew Forsey, Feeding Britiain’s national director, who said the money will feed children in need until schools reopen.

“The social and economic consequences of coronavirus have sent shockwaves across the Feeding Britain network,” Forsey told Town and Country magazine.

“Families living in poverty, who were already struggling to access and afford food, have been put at even greater risk of hunger.”

He added that the money, which is expected to arrive this week, “will keep breakfast, lunch and dinner, so three square meals, on the table of many tens of thousands of children across our network.”

Prince Harry and Meghan saw the work of the charity first-hand when they visited Feeding Britain’s first citizens’ supermarket in Birkenhead in January 2019.

“The magic that they left on the town that day has been carried forward through this very generous donation,” Forsey added.

A BBC spokesperson confirmed the donation, saying: “As agreed from the outset, BBC Studios is donating all profit arising from the commercial distribution of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding ceremony to their charity foundation.”

The Independent has launched an appeal to help those going hungry due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Help The Hungry aims to highlight how you can help in your area, with money, food donations or volunteering.

The campaign has been backed by a politicians including Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, and Jess Phillips, the Labour MP who recently ran for party leader.

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