Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Even 'Baby Sussex' Thank Fans for Charity Donations: 'You Made This Happen'

Stephanie Petit
Updated
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Even 'Baby Sussex' Thank Fans for Charity Donations: 'You Made This Happen'

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (and even Baby Sussex!) are saying thanks.

Just one week after the royal couple named four charities to consider donating to in lieu of sending baby gifts, they’re updating fans of their enormous effect – even before their son or daughter has arrived!

“Their royal highnesses wanted you to know the impact of your support – the direct effect your donation, energy, and action made! YOU chose to be part of the collective good, and you have a made a real difference,” according to Monday’s post on Meghan and Harry’s new Instagram account, @SussexRoyal.

“Whether a $5 donation, £1000 contribution, offering to volunteer, or spreading the word – you’ve played your part. And on behalf of The Duke and Duchess (and Baby Sussex), we thank you so much,” a photo of the couple clapping during their March visit to Canada House in London for a Commonwealth Day event was captioned.

View this post on Instagram

Just one week ago, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex asked that you kindly consider supporting various organisations around the world in lieu of sending gifts for the upcoming arrival of their first born. Not only did many of you lend your support, you took action. Their Royal Highnesses wanted you to know the impact of your support – the direct effect your donation, energy, and action made! YOU chose to be part of the collective good, and you have a made a real difference. Whether a $5 donation, £1000 contribution, offering to volunteer, or spreading the word – you’ve played your part. And on behalf of The Duke and Duchess (and Baby Sussex), we thank you so much. YOUR IMPACT: @thelunchboxfund will now be able to provide a minimum of 100,000 additional hot nutritionally fortified meals to children in dire need across South Africa @littlevillagehq received donations from all over the world (from UAE to Hong Kong and the US), they’ve increased their monthly donors, had a surge in volunteer applications, and re-energized their hard working team of 200+ staff and volunteers @wellchild can now provide 300+ additional hours of specialist care by a Well Child Nurse for a child with serious health needs, allowing families to stay together at home vs in hospital @Baby2Baby have received over 5,000 products to disperse to children in need, including cribs, books, backpacks, diapers and have received monetary donations from around the globe - from Guadalajara to Italy. You made this happen. Thank you.

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 15, 2019 at 6:51am PDT

According to the post, the influx of donations will allow The Lunchbox Fund to provide at least 100,000 additional hot and healthy meals to South African children, while WellChild can now provide over 300 extra hours of specialist nurse care for a child with serious health needs, allowing families to stay together at home as opposed to in a hospital.

Little Village increased their number of monthly donors and saw a spike in volunteer interest in addition to receiving donations from around the world, from Hong Kong to the U.S. And Baby2Baby – an organization which provides young children living in poverty with basic necessities such as diapers (and based in Meghan’s hometown of Los Angeles!) – received over 5,000 products including cribs, books and backpacks as well as monetary donations to disperse to those in need.

Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage

“You made this happen. Thank you,” Meghan and Harry’s Instagram post concludes.

The post was liked by David Beckham, who recently caught up with Prince Harry and Prince William at the premiere of Netflix documentary Our Planet, and Meghan’s friend Jessica Mulroney commented with applause emoji, mirroring the snap.

View this post on Instagram

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are so grateful for the well wishes in anticipation of their first born. Today we introduce you to one of four charities the couple has asked that you consider supporting in lieu of sending gifts. Please meet The Lunchbox Fund:@thelunchboxfund provides a nutritious daily school meal to children in South Africa who would otherwise go hungry. Since its inception, @thelunchboxfund has provided over 20 million meals to school children in need. This meal encourages children to attend school and enables them to better concentrate and maximise their learning potential. As President and Vice President of The Queens Commonwealth Trust, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are committed to supporting the children and communities of the 53 commonwealth countries around the world. For those members of the public who have graciously asked to send baby gifts for the couple’s upcoming arrival, they ask that instead, you consider lending your support to @thelunchboxfund or the other 3 charities we will be sharing on our page Thank you for your kindness! Photos courtesy of: @thelunchboxfund

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 6, 2019 at 6:15am PDT

View this post on Instagram

As a continuation of yesterday’s post, we now introduce you to London based organisation, Little Village. Similar to a food bank, @littlevillagehq is for clothes, toys and essentials for babies and children up to the age of five. The Duchess of Sussex became aware of the organisation last December and strongly believes in their community ethos and goal to ensure every parent and young child have the necessary supplies and support they need. The couple have made private contributions in the last few months, and are excited to share this special organisation with you. Please consider supporting @littlevillagehq - their staff and volunteers work tirelessly to help local families have the support they need to thrive. That’s what community is all about. Photos via: @littlevillagehq

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 6, 2019 at 11:25am PDT

View this post on Instagram

The Duke of Sussex has proudly been patron of UK based organization Well Child since 2007. Over 100,000 children and young people are living with serious illness or exceptional health needs across the UK. Many spend months, even years in hospital vs at home because there is no support enabling them to leave. Well Child’s vision is for every child and young person living with serious health needs to have the best chance to thrive properly supported at home with their families. Both the Duke and Duchess attended the Well Child Awards in the winter of 2018, supporting the incredible families and children who benefit from the Well Child programs. For those who have inquired, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ask that you consider supporting @wellchild and three other select charities in lieu of sending baby gifts for their upcoming arrival. Thank you for the support and kindness! Photos via: @wellchild #worldhealthday

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 7, 2019 at 8:06am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Last but not least, we would like you to meet @Baby2Baby! As we shared, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are immensely grateful for your kindness in anticipation of their baby. As a result of the inspiring support they have received from all of you, Baby2Baby is one of four selected charities they would like to introduce you to. As a native of Los Angeles, The Duchess of Sussex wanted to include a locally based charity from her hometown that helps children and parents in need. Baby2Baby provides children ages 0-12 living in poverty with the necessities every child deserves. In the last seven years, B2B has distributed over 50 million items to children in homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, foster care, hospitals, underserved schools, and to children who have lost everything in the wake of disasters. Please consider supporting this very special organization. Thank you for sharing the love ❤️ Photos courtesy of: @Baby2Baby

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 7, 2019 at 11:36am PDT

RELATED: Everything Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Have Said About Baby Sussex So Far

Meghan, 37, and Harry, 34, shared their choices of charities after #GlobalSussexBabyShower – started by Twitter user @freepeeper – began trending among supporters of the couple. The first charities picked for donations included Camfed, the Mayhew and WellChild. But it widened as others gave to organizations like Sentebale, Harry’s charity for young people in Lesotho and parts of Southern Africa, and One25, which the couple visited in Bristol in February.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | MARC GIDDINGS/AFP/Getty
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | MARC GIDDINGS/AFP/Getty

  • Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Although the royal parents-to-be are keeping their baby plans private – they will not follow in William and Kate Middleton‘s footsteps by posing on the steps of a hospital to reveal their newborn, though fans can expect photos of the trio on the grounds of Windsor Castle to be taken a few days following the birth – a clue to when the baby will arrive came Monday.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall announced that they will visit Germany on May 7 for a three-day tour. Since Charles and Camilla are expected to be nearby when Meghan and Prince Harry’s first child is born, it can be assumed that Baby Sussex will be born prior to their May 7 trip.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories