The Sussexes Choose Feeding Britain to Benefit from Royal Wedding Broadcast

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen a charity working to eliminate hunger and its root causes in the UK to benefit from profits generated by the broadcast of their wedding. A significant sum of £90,000 has been pledged to Feeding Britain, a charity the couple visited during their 'away day' in Birkenhead in January 2019. A spokesperson told the Telegraph: "They have particularly fond memories of their visit to the citizens' supermarket in Birkenhead, especially the generosity and compassion of everyone working there to help others.They are delighted to be able to ensure this money is donated to such a great cause."

On the day of the visit, Meghan told local politician Frank Field the project could not only "be taken across the country, but across the world". Mr Field later said: "I’ve been briefing her on how we counter modern slavery, how we’re going to take that further. She’s definitely a very, very active member of the Royal family. And so is he. And also how much they love one another which is pretty nice to see." Mr Field's final observation perhaps sums up for many what the couple has to offer: "What you see is this ability of taking the monarchy way into this century."

Since 2015, Feeding Britain has been working to establish local pilots around the country, where local organisations work together to tackle hunger and its root causes in their communities. The initiative was piloted in Birkenhead, South Shields and Cornwall, and has now been rolled out in fourteen areas around the country. The mission is simple - Feeding Britain believe hunger has no place in the UK in the 21st century. During the current COVID-19 crisis, their work has never been more important. The organisation has described the much-needed donation as "a godsend".

Victoria Murphy reports:

A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said they are “delighted” to see the money go to “such a great cause.”

It had been agreed at the time of Harry and Meghan's wedding that if there were any excess profits from the BBC broadcast, that money would go to a charity nominated by the couple. They were notified about the funds around the time the coronavirus pandemic was taking hold. It is understood the Sussexes thought it was fitting that funds generated from their wedding go to a charity supported by the Archbishop, who played such an important role on the day.

Forsey says that this donation will help Feeding Britain to sustain their programs until schools reopen. “The social and economic consequences of coronavirus have sent shockwaves across the Feeding Britain network. Families living in poverty, who were already struggling to access and afford food, have been put at even greater risk of hunger,” he told T&C.

He added that the money, which is expected to arrive this week, “will keep breakfast, lunch and dinner, so three square meals, on the table of many tens of thousands of children across our network.”

 As noted above, an additional deciding factor in choosing Feeding Britain was the organisation's president, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. Harry and Meghan became close to him in the months before their wedding. Harry and Meghan called him last month to discuss the news. Last year he spoke out against the "absolutely terrible" abuse directed at the Duchess and described her as "remarkable" and "a person of profound humanity".

Throughout this crisis, the charity's services are absolutely essential. Through an emergency food programme, they are providing hot meals and essential groceries to vulnerable families in unprecedented circumstances. Below, a food delivery arriving in West Yorkshire.

If you would like to donate to Feeding Britain please click here.