Hey there, royal watchers! So, here's the scoop: when it comes to weddings, guests traditionally hand over envelopes stuffed with cash to the happy couple. But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? They’re shaking things up. For their big day on May 19, 2018, they've decided to skip the cash and go in a totally different direction. Instead of asking for gifts, they've made a heartfelt request to their guests: donate to charity. Let me tell you more about why this decision is such a big deal.

On Monday, April 9, Kensington Palace dropped a bombshell announcement. The official Twitter statement read: "Prince Harry & Ms. Meghan Markle are incredibly grateful for the goodwill they've received since their engagement. They've asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion of their wedding considers giving to charity, instead of sending a gift." It’s clear that this couple wants their special day to focus on making a difference in the world, not just celebrating their union. How refreshing, right?

Prince Harry & Ms. Meghan Markle are incredibly grateful for the goodwill they have received since their engagement, & have asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion of their wedding considers giving to charity, instead of sending a gift. https://t.co/lzfrRmoeUv pic.twitter.com/nxrTZtIKBY
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— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 9, 2018

Why These Charities?

Now, let’s talk about the charities they've chosen. Harry and Meghan didn't just pick any old organizations—they handpicked seven charities that mean the world to them. These organizations represent a range of causes close to their hearts, including sport for social change, women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV, and the Armed Forces. The palace followed up with a series of tweets that provided detailed descriptions of each charity. It's evident that this couple is deeply invested in using their platform to create meaningful change.

Harry’s Big Brother Influence

It's no surprise that Harry is following in the footsteps of his older brother, Prince William. Back in 2011, when William married Kate Middleton, they set up a Charitable Gift Fund. This allowed guests to donate to 26 different charities. The result? They raised nearly $1.4 million! Clarence House issued a statement at the time saying, "Prince William and Miss Middleton have asked that anyone who might wish to give them a wedding gift consider giving instead to a charitable fund. These charities reflect issues in which the couple have been particularly interested in their lives to date." It's clear that both brothers are committed to using their weddings as an opportunity to give back.

Harry and Meghan’s Philanthropic Past

Both Harry and Meghan have a long history of involvement in charitable work. At just 33 years old, Harry is the patron of numerous charities that he established with his brother and sister-in-law. Meanwhile, Meghan, 36, was a UN advocate and Global Ambassador for World Vision during her time as an actress on "Suits." Their dedication to giving back is evident, and even though most of us won't be receiving an invitation to their wedding, we can still support their causes. That's the beauty of their request—anyone can participate!

So, if you're like me and not lucky enough to be on the guest list, don’t let that stop you from contributing. Let’s come together to support the causes that mean so much to Harry and Meghan. After all, isn’t that what love and community are all about?