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Charities

Royal Wedding perfect gifts

(46 Posts)
Caledonai14 Mon 09-Apr-18 14:59:23

Prince Harry and Meghan have asked for donations to charity instead of wedding gifts. Such a good idea in the circumstances, where neither of them is going to need the kind of start that wedding gifts are aimed at. Their list of seven charities is quite varied too. Fits with a more humane mood of the country at the moment and gives hope for the future. What do others think?

Anniebach Wed 11-Apr-18 13:08:11

Queenie always gives the new wives a little something from the massive collection handed down over generations

Rufus2 Wed 11-Apr-18 15:13:48

Anniebach, We've been living out here in Oz for 47 years and so you might think I' sticking my nose in, commenting on this forthcoming wedding. wink
But I joined Gransnet hoping to learn how things are these days back in the Old Dart and hopefully contribute some interesting views from "down under".
I feel qualified to add to your post as we lived as a family in Windsor for several years before coming here.
I can't recall any homeless, but appreciate that it's now a problem with Windsor being a tourist mecca. sad
I remember how we (two young boys and us) used to march from Victoria barracks to the Castle every Saturday morning
with the changing of the guard. Happy days!
Now what would it matter if the Royals and their entourages did see their homeless subjects.?
It could move them to tears and get something done. Yes?
If you are really determined to hide them how about all those arches under the Slough-Windsor railway? They could be dry and not too cold in mid-May; or maybe not. No chance!
Despite everything else I believe England is a free country, so let them be. smile
BTW; We've still not received our wedding invitations; leaving it a bit late aren't they?

Anniebach Wed 11-Apr-18 15:52:01

Rufus, I didn't mention the Windsors not seeing the homeless, as they often drive around London and Windsor I am quite sure they drive with their eyes open.

All I said was visitors who travel to see royal events should be considered too

They are your royals as well as ours ?

lemongrove Wed 11-Apr-18 15:55:38

Yes Rufus they are cutting it fine, we haven’t got our invitations yet either, and I haven’t got a thing to wear!
I am sending the happy couple a hand knitted tea cosy.

Anniebach Wed 11-Apr-18 16:03:50

Just had a most unpleasant thought, will Paul Burrel be brought in to tell us how proud the grooms mother would be

Hm999 Wed 11-Apr-18 17:02:53

I think there's support for vulnerable people due to the apathy of the govt towards anyone who's not rich. Consequently I think it's a lovely idea, though I hope those who do send to charity, get a little royal thank you email.

gillybob Wed 11-Apr-18 17:21:59

I won’t be sending anything to charity in their name.

lemongrove Wed 11-Apr-18 17:23:52

I’m hoping to be one of their chosen charities.?

Grandma70s Wed 11-Apr-18 17:44:13

I’m puzzled by maddyone’s suggestion that Meghan is ‘unlikely to own any jewels, despite being a very rich woman’. If I were a very rich woman I’d own lots! I’d be surprised if she doesn’r.

Saggi Wed 11-Apr-18 19:22:10

I seem to Remember my mum telling me that people slept out overnight for the wedding of Eliza etc and Philip all those years ago!! We’re they considered a ‘nuisance’ . After all 1 sleeping bag is very much line another. I think maybe it’s pure predjudice produced by the word ‘homeless’....?!!

Legs55 Wed 11-Apr-18 19:31:18

Anniebach oh I do hope not. No-one knows how Diana would have felt.

Grandma70s Meghan probably has lots of jewels but not the sort of jewels which are worn on formal occasions.

I think it's a wise precaution to clear the streets, not because I have anything against homeless people but Windsor will also be awash with pickpockets, fake beggars & general undesirables. I'm sure the genuine homeless would welcome being a safe area rather than on the streets with all the tourists & royal watchers.

Grandma70s Wed 11-Apr-18 20:57:42

One of my sons lives near Windsor and I suggested he should let out a spare room at vast cost. . He doesn't think it’s a good idea.

maddyone Thu 12-Apr-18 00:17:34

Grandma70s, although Meghan may have some nice jewellery, indeed she has a very nice engagement ring, I meant that she was unlikely to own such things as a beautiful, diamond encrusted tiara, or indeed anything of the type we see in pictures of the royals when attending state banquets. The type of jewellery worn on those occasions is not the type of jewellery anyone, even a royal, would wear on a normal, every day type of event ie. an official visit to a hospital, or city. Yes, they wear jewellery, but not normally a diamond crown or tiara. Therefore I suspect that Meghan doesn’t have anything of that type hidden away in her knicker drawer.

vampirequeen Thu 12-Apr-18 07:19:11

Makes more sense. I went to see Charles and Diana's wedding presents and it was sad to see how many gifts there were from people that would never be used. Not just the amazing gold and jewels but the little gifts from ordinary people.

Rufus2 Thu 12-Apr-18 09:33:48

Grandma70s
Your son is absolutely right. Who knows what undesirable royal watchers would be taking up residence? Whilst you are all glued in front of the TV watching parades and other attractions, they could be upstairs "nicking" all your valuables, especially your jewellery! angry
No! A much better and more profitable tactic is to rent out your garage, driveway and even front garden
I guess car-parking will be impossible within 5 miles of the Castle; certainly not easy walking distance; not to mention car- bomb fears if you do manage to get a street park. "Security" would probably tow it away or carry out a "controlled explosion" using a robot. grin

No! Royal watchers would be happy to pay fortunes to relax knowing that their cars will be safe from the prowling police and parking inspectors seeking to boost the coffers of The Royal Borough of New Windsor. wink
It would have to be cash-in-hand up front of course
Wish I was still there to make a killing. I'd even welcome them deporting me to Oz. smile
Only joking.!

Anniebach Thu 12-Apr-18 10:00:01

Diana didn't own a tiara, she borrowed one from her brother, Sophie didn't own one neither did .fergie,

Perhaps Harry will borrow the Spencer tiara for the wedding, for Megan not for him ?

Rufus2 Thu 12-Apr-18 14:05:03

Anniebach; Have you got Welsh blood coursing through your veins?smile
I think "bach" is a Welsh term of endearment so if it is I'm sure it suits you!
To the topic at hand. I'm sure the Windsors keep their eyes open as they " get driven (!)" around Windsor and London in order to wave to their loyal subjects, at the right moments. smile

Of course, I know they are our Royals too, and in my case twice over. but that's too deep to go into here.
wink
No, I haven't got Royal blood either.!
Good Health

Anniebach Thu 12-Apr-18 14:31:04

Rufus, bach is Welsh , it means small but is used as little too, was suitable when I was in the crib but still called it when 5'7', by three sisters who are 5' ?

They are Your royals twice over ? once is enough for anyone

And good health to you

Caledonai14 Thu 12-Apr-18 14:32:07

Quite early on in this thread, Grannyactivist and Nanaandgrampy drew my attention to one of the seven charities, Scotty's Little Soldiers and I wondered whether anyone else has experience or knowledge of the others? I had heard about the work of Crisis, which helps homeless people, and The Wilderness Foundation which encourages people to enjoy outdoor pursuits, but I'm just learning about StreetGames, the Myna Mahlia Foundation, Chiva and Surfers Against Sewage.
Has anyone got direct knowledge of the work of these smaller charities? I know we can all look them up, but it would be good to hear a Gransnet opinion or experience.

f77ms Fri 13-Apr-18 09:44:34

What a brilliant idea . I am not a Royalist but have a lot of time for Diana`s sons , they both seem genuinely nice men who have obviously inherited her gentle nature .