The reason behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to return their wedding gifts has been revealed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were married in Windsor in 2018, and during that time they were required to adhere to specific royal protocol regarding public gifts. Whether it was allegations of family strife, reports of Queen Elizabeth’s discussions with Prince Harry, or Meghan’s alleged displeasure with certain wedding plans, it was undoubtedly a difficult time between the walls of the palace.
Despite the challenges that arose later on their wedding day, there were many delightful moments that thrilled both the guests and millions of viewers. Hundreds of enthusiastic Royal fans lined the streets of Windsor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds. However, a single rule prevented members of the public from doing a particular thing. Several stories 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 released, informing fans that if they wanted 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 has said that the acceptance of gifts by a member of the royal family should be conditional on the donor’s commitment 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 gifts worth £7million.
There are various rules governing what can be accepted by members of the royal family when performing official duties, and these rules vary depending on whether it is a gift or a bouquet of flowers. When it comes to gifts, specific guidelines are in place. According to Keith Roy of the Monarchist League of Canada, flowers are always reused. Roy goes on to explain that flowers are usually given to charities or churches. The Princess of Wales is also known to be taking some of the flowers she received to the family’s Norfolk home, Anmer Hall. If they are on a royal tour abroad, royals are said to take their flowers back to their hotel rooms and then donate them to local charities, churches and organizations.
Additionally, when royals receive gifts in the form of toys, these items must first undergo rigorous safety testing. If the gift passes inspection, the royal can decide how to handle it. If the toy is valued at less than £150, the royals can choose to give it to their staff, donate it to a charity close to their heart or keep it for themselves.
