Palace & Charities React to "Incredibly Thoughtful" Fundraiser for Duchess Meghan
She speaks often about the importance of kindness and giving back-and the Duchess of Sussex’s words have been heard loud and clear.
What started as a social media campaign to celebrate Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s soon-to-be-born child has quickly turned into a global fundraiser for organizations close to the Sussexes' hearts, with fans inundating the couple's favorite charities with donations in their honor.
By Sunday, Mother’s Day in the U.K., the #GlobalSussexBabyShower initiative (which will run for the entire month of April) has already seen thousands of supporters donate to a number of causes, including British children’s charity WellChild, women's education non-profit Camfed, and the Mayhew animal rescue service, the last of which Meghan became patron in January.
The efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by the Royal Household, which has been bowled over by the selfless gestures of fans. “The charities have all been in touch to share the news with Kensington Palace, who are hugely warmed by the fundraising efforts,” an aide tells BAZAAR. “It’s an incredibly thoughtful way to mark a special occasion.”
Well-wisher Elle Harris (known as @freepeeper on Twitter) created the hashtag after working with a small group of fans to find a meaningful way to celebrate the impending arrival of Baby Sussex and also acknowledge the couple’s philanthropic efforts.
“We felt the values of compassion and kindness that the Duke and Duchess display during their engagements was being overshadowed by negativity in the press and some factions online,” 32-year-old Harris tells BAZAAR.com. “We wanted to create a space where we could talk further about their charitable endeavors and also about the Duchess’s impact. She is the thread that brought us together as royal watchers.”
The fans also came up with the idea to pick three charity suggestions for donations, focusing on children, women and animals.
Camfed executive director Angie Murimirwa tells BAZAAR that she has been blown away by the efforts made by fans to support the organization, which is dedicated to eradicating poverty through the education and empowerment of young women. They have received over $11,000 in donations and counting-a 456% increase from last month.
“On International Women's Day the Duchess asked others to join her, and this is a phenomenal reaction to her call to action,” says Murimirwa, who sat on a panel session with the duchess in March. “So a very big shout out to her fans for supporting her in this unique and special way! It affirms the power of people coming together for good. That energy and positivity is essential in these difficult times. Together we can!”
For the Mayhew animal welfare charity, donations have been coming in thick and fast since the campaign launched on Saturday.
"We have been thrilled and delighted by the fundraising activity that's taken place over the weekend and can't thank everybody who has shared the #GlobalSussexBabyShower campaign and donated to Mayhew enough,” CEO Caroline Yates tells BAZAAR.com. “We've received over ￡4,100 [$5,373] in donations so far, which will make a huge difference to our efforts to improve the health and welfare of the animals both in our care and in the communities where we work, be it in London or overseas.”
Yates added, “We are honored to have the duchess as our Patron and experience the keen interest she has in our work. And we look forward to hearing the exciting baby news from the Duke and Duchess shortly!"
WellChild, which helps get seriously ill children out of the hospital and home to their families, was selected as a nod to father-to-be and royal patron Prince Harry. Chief executive Colin Dyer says everyone working there has been floored by the reaction.
“We have been surprised and delighted by the donations from supporters of #GlobalSussexBabyShower, says Dyer. "It’s great that an online outpouring of goodwill can lead to practical help for children with serious illness and their families. We would like to thank all who donated for their kind support.”
Fans have also donated to other charities close to the couple, including Sentebale, Harry’s organization that supports the wellbeing of young people affected by HIV in Southern Africa; Education For All, which provides schooling opportunities to girls in rural parts of Morocco; and the Myna Mahila Foundation, which provides menstrual hygiene products to women in India.
For the U.S.-based Harris, the quick growth of the fundraiser has been unexpected and exciting. “I’m very surprised that it has gotten so big,” she says. “In this media age, we’re used to things going viral, but I’ve never been involved in something that has. For it to be something that benefits worthy charities and not some silly nonsense thrills me to no end.”
She hopes that the outpouring of good also serves as a reminder that social media should be a positive space. “I do hope that we can all be more positive online, and I include myself in that,” she says. “I think we’d all benefit from a kinder online and real world.”
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