Prince Harry makes donation to Nottingham charity, saying city “holds a special place in my heart” after first engagement with Meghan Markle in 2017

The Duke of Sussex has made a large donation to a food bank that has a link with his first ever public engagement with wife Meghan.

Prince Harry said Nottingham, where the charity Himmah is based, “holds a special place” in his heart.

It was December 1, 2017, when Prince Harry introduced his then-fiancé Meghan Markle to the British public for the first time.

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The couple chose Nottingham for their debut joint royal engagement, giving the former actress her first taste of royal life.

They had announced their engagement just days before the visit to Nottingham, in central England’s Midlands region.

Prince Harry and Meghan spent about 30 minutes meeting the hundreds of people who had waited in the cold to see them, some as early as 6am.

Meghan was widely praised for appearing confident at her first public appearance and a handbag she carried immediately sold out.

In August last year, the duchess told the New York Times she now uses her global spotlight to help sell clothes, recalling her visit to Nottingham.

Meghan told the publication she had begun to appreciate her influence when she learned of the boost in sales she had caused for Strathberry, a Scottish company, after wearing one of its bags for her first royal event.

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The founder of the company later said the bag Meghan wore sold out online in 11 minutes after she was pictured wearing it.

Now, Prince Harry has given an undisclosed financial donation to help some of the city’s most vulnerable.

Himmah tackles poverty, racism and social exclusion and the cash boost will fund more than 650 much-needed food parcels for families in the area.

In a letter to Himmah, released by the charity, the duke said: “Nottingham holds a special place in my heart, having had the privilege of visiting and supporting the community there for over a decade.

“The incredible work Himmah does to address food insecurity, poverty and social exclusion should be recognised and applauded.

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“I’m happy to be able to play a small part in your mission to bring communities together by creating opportunities and support for those facing hardship.”

Its director Sajid Mohammed, said: “I could not believe it when we got the email”.

“To have been chosen by such a high-profile royal once is amazing but to have been supported by Prince Harry too left us completely gobsmacked,” according to The Telegraph UK.

Prince Harry’s donation comes four years after Meghan gave £10,000 (approx. $20,000) with funds from The Royal Foundation.

The money was used to help the charity purchase equipment and fund the Salaam Shalom Kitchen, a joint Muslim and Jewish community project offering hot meals and groceries.

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More than 1,300 emergency food parcels are distributed every month by Himmah with more than 1,200 hot meals served from its city centre community hub.

It also donates school uniforms to low-income families and runs a community garden.

Mohammed said the charity’s work was more than providing food.

“It’s about restoring dignity, hope and stability to people’s lives.”

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