Why Meghan And Harry Are Returning $9 Million Worth Of Wedding Gifts

Meghan and Harry are saying goodbye to a whole lot of presents.

Inside Edition reports that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are in the process of returning or turning down over $9 million worth of gifts that they received when they wed on May 19, 2018. According to the celebrity news site, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aren't sending back their wedding presents because they don't like them — rather, they're sending them back because the royal family doesn't want to help give brands publicity.

Royals are not to accept any gifts from British businesses unless the item in question is a souvenir. If accepted, the royals run the risk that the companies could "exploit the gift for commercial purposes."

For example, Express notes that the company Bags of Love sent the newlyweds matching swimwear in hopes that the two would wear them on their honeymoon. Unfortunately for Bags of Love, Harry and Markle won't be donning their swimsuits (and not just because they're likely headed to Canada for their honeymoon).

Official royal guidelines state, "The fundamental principle governing the acceptance of gifts by Members of the Royal Family is that no gifts, including hospitality or services, should be accepted which would, or might appear to, place the Member of the Royal Family under any obligation to the donor."

Additionally, Harry and Markle, as well as other members of the royal family, cannot accept gifts from people they do not personally know, as they'd be unable to understand the giver's true motives.

Considering all these strict rules about gifts they can and cannot receive, there's little wonder as to why Harry and Markle simply asked for guests to make a donation to charity. The couple supports seven main charities, which include CHIVA, Crisis, Myna Mahalia Foundation, Scotty's Little Soldiers, StreetGames, Surfers Against Sewage, and The Wilderness Foundation UK. But those charities were only suggestions. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for instance, $50,000 (Canadian) to the organization Jumpstart in honor of Harry and Meghan's marriage (via Express).

No word yet on how much money was donated to charities in celebration of Harry and Markle's wedding.

One gift Harry and Markle are keeping, however, is their home, which was given to them by Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. The newly married couple will reportedly live at York Cottage in the Sandringham Estate (via Harper's Bazaar).