Royal wedding: Harry and Meghan ask for charity donations

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry in Windsor on 19 May

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have asked people to donate to charities instead of sending wedding presents.

The couple have chosen seven charities and so that "as many people as possible benefit from this [public] generosity of spirit", Kensington Palace said.

Guests at the wedding will have a choice of giving a present or making a donation.

More than £1m was raised when Prince William and Kate Middleton asked the public to donate when they wed in 2011.

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Kensington Palace said Prince Harry and Ms Markle, who will marry in Windsor on 19 May, are "incredibly grateful for the goodwill shown to them".

A spokesperson said: "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.

"Prince Harry and Ms Markle do not have any formal relationships with the charities chosen."

The seven charities are:

• CHIVA (Children's HIV Association): The small charity supports more than 1,000 young people living with HIV in the UK and Ireland.

• Crisis: The national homeless body works with thousands of people a year to help rebuild their lives.

• The Myna Mahila Foundation: The organisation, based in Mumbai, helps empower women through offering stable employment and breaking cultural taboos around menstrual hygiene. Myna Mahila also teaches women life skills such as maths, English and self defence.

• Scotty's Little Soldiers: The charity supports children who have lost a parent while serving in the British Armed Forces.

• StreetGames: The organisation uses sport to help young people and communities become healthier and safer.

• Surfers Against Sewage: The national marine conservation body works to protect oceans, beaches, waves and wildlife.

• The Wilderness Foundation UK: Vulnerable teenagers from urban communities are taught about the great outdoors and rural employment opportunities.