£1m royal wedding gift to charities

William and Kate set up a charitable gift fund for well-wishers to donate to instead of buying wedding presents
12 April 2012

More than £1 million will be donated to charities thanks to wedding gifts to the newlywed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

William and Kate set up a charitable gift fund for well-wishers to donate to instead of buying wedding presents, personally earmarking 26 charities.

The organisations support causes the couple feel strongly about: changing lives through arts and sport, fulfilling children's potential, help and care at home, support for service personnel and their families, and conservation for future generations.

They also include some based in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, countries William has visited in the past.

St James's Palace revealed that £1,058,367 has been contributed to the Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund, which will be distributed among the charities by the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

The majority of donations were made through the Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund website. Contributions were also made via revenue from wedding-related projects including a donation by Decca Records from sales of the official Royal Wedding Album and a donation by Mario Testino's office from sales of the photograph of the couple printed in the official wedding brochure.

Members of the public also sent donations directly to the charities and to the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

A St James's Palace spokesman said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted that these charities are able to benefit so positively from their special day.

"They would like to thank everyone who donated and contributed so generously to the charitable fund and for all the kindness and support shown to them throughout the wedding period."

The Palace said £559,104 was donated by members of the public and wedding guests; £247,000 was generated from rights due to The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry that the trustees allocated to the Gift Fund; and £252,263 was paid directly to the 26 charities.

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