The reason behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to return their wedding gifts has been unveiled. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex tied the knot in Windsor in 2018, and during that time, they were obligated to adhere to a specific Royal protocol concerning gifts from the public. Whether it’s claims of familial disputes, reports of Queen Elizabeth’s discussions with Prince Harry, or the alleged dissatisfaction Meghan had with certain wedding plans, it was undoubtedly a challenging period within the palace walls.
Despite the challenges that surfaced later, there were numerous delightful moments on their wedding day that thrilled both the guests and millions of TV viewers. Hundreds of excited Royal fans gathered on the streets of Windsor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds. However, a unique rule prevented members of the public from doing one particular thing. Several stories have emerged about the couple’s wedding day, much like any other royal wedding where fans wanted to bring gifts to celebrate Harry and Meghan’s special day.
However, there was a little-known rule that prevented the couple from accepting these gifts before the wedding day. An official statement was issued, advising fans that if they wished to buy the couple a gift, they should send it to Kensington Palace instead of taking it to Windsor. According to previous reports, Kensington Palace stated that the acceptance of gifts by a member of the royal family should be contingent upon the giver’s undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes.
This rule meant that members of the royal family were not allowed to accept gifts if they served as promotional items. While many guests followed this rule, some chose to ignore the statement and brought gifts to the wedding venue. It is estimated that the couple had to return £7 million worth of gifts.
There are various rules governing what can be accepted by members of the royal family when they are conducting official duties, and these rules vary depending on whether the item is a gift or a bouquet of flowers. When it comes to gifts, there are specific guidelines in place. According to Keith Roy, from the Monarchist League of Canada, flowers are always reused. Roy goes on to explain that flowers are typically given to charities or churches. It is also known that the Princess of Wales would take some of the flowers she received to the family’s Norfolk home, Anmer Hall. If they are on a foreign royal tour, it is said that the royals take their flowers back to their hotel rooms and then donate them to local charities, churches, and organizations.
Moreover, when the royals are given gifts that come in the form of toys, these items must first undergo rigorous security testing. If the gift passes inspection, the royal can decide how to handle it. If the toy is valued at under £150, the royals can choose to give it to their staff, donate it to a charity close to their hearts, or keep it for themselves.
