Meghan Markle Charity Hid $13K Donation Over ‘Reputational Issues’ As She Was ‘Like Marmite’

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Meghan Markle once made a generous donation to a British charity that initially kept her involvement secret because it feared how the public might react. The Duchess of Sussex donated £10,000, approximately $13,000, to Nottingham-based charity Himmah in 2020, but the organization did not immediately publicize the contribution. Its director later revealed that trustees worried Meghan’s polarizing reputation could negatively affect the charity, describing her as being “like Marmite.” The surprising admission has resurfaced as Meghan and Prince Harry return to Nottingham on October 15, with Himmah among the three organizations on their itinerary.

Meghan Markle Charity Feared ‘Reputational Issues’ Over Her Donation

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According to a BBC report published in March 2021, Himmah initially decided not to announce Meghan’s donation because trustees feared that associating with the Duchess could alienate supporters. The charity’s director, Sajid Mohammad, explained that the decision had nothing to do with the contribution’s usefulness. Instead, trustees were concerned about Meghan’s divisive public image and how it might affect their organization.

“The reason we didn’t go public is the trustees took a view that she was like Marmite and there could be reputational issues,” Mohammad said.

He explained that the concern centered on people potentially turning against the charity simply because they disliked Meghan. The admission was unusual, considering that charitable organizations generally welcome public recognition of significant donations. In Himmah’s case, however, trustees initially believed that keeping the Duchess’s involvement private was the safer option.

Meghan Markle Donation Was Revealed After Explosive Oprah Interview

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The charity eventually changed its position following Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. During the televised conversation, the Sussexes made several allegations about their experiences within the royal family, including concerns about racism. Meghan claimed that people had discussed how dark her son Archie’s skin might be before he was born. The revelations sparked international controversy and prompted a response from Buckingham Palace, which said the issues raised were concerning and would be addressed privately.

For Himmah, an organization focused on tackling poverty and racial inequality, the interview prompted a reassessment of its decision to remain silent. Mohammad explained that the charity wanted to demonstrate solidarity with Meghan following her allegations. The organization subsequently disclosed the donation, drawing attention to the support she had provided months earlier. Rather than distancing itself from the Duchess, Himmah chose to publicly acknowledge her contribution and the causes it helped fund.

• Meghan Markle faced scrutiny over an estimated $2,520 donation to the Malala Fund after the figure was compared to her reported $37,000 outfit at a dinner with Malala Yousafzai.
• Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly have no interest in competing with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, even as tensions between the royal couples remain unresolved.
• Harry and Meghan came under fire over questions about taxpayer-funded security after details of their upcoming charity visits to Nottingham circulated online.
• Meghan sparked accusations of staging a public outing at a British pub after photographs of the Duchess prompted critics to question whether the appearance was spontaneous.
• Harry and Meghan faced criticism over plans for a royal-style UK engagement after King Charles reportedly reminded them they remain private citizens.
• Meghan was warned about the potential risks of her signature slicked-back hairstyle after a hair expert suggested that repeatedly wearing tight styles could lead to permanent hair loss.

Meghan Markle $13K Gift Left Charity Director Emotional

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Despite the initial secrecy, Mohammad made it clear that the donation itself had been deeply appreciated. He revealed that he initially struggled to believe the offer was genuine when representatives contacted the organization. The director even suspected that the unexpected correspondence might be an elaborate hoax. However, once he realized Meghan genuinely wanted to support Himmah, he became emotional.

“I actually cried,” Mohammad told the BBC.

The contribution came from funds associated with Meghan’s “Together” cookbook project, which supported community initiatives. The money was designated for Himmah’s food bank and the Salaam Shalom Kitchen, a joint Muslim and Jewish community project providing meals and other assistance. The donation helped the organization continue supporting vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mohammad also praised the Duchess’s generosity and encouraged people to recognize the charitable work Harry and Meghan had undertaken while living in Britain. His remarks highlighted a striking contrast: although the charity initially feared the publicity surrounding Meghan, its director was personally moved by her willingness to help.

Meghan Markle Returns To Nottingham Charity Years After Secret Donation

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The story has gained renewed relevance as Harry and Meghan visit Himmah during their October 15 engagements in Nottingham. As The Independent recently highlighted, the couple have maintained connections with several community organizations in the city. Nottingham holds particular significance for the Sussexes because it hosted their first official joint public appearance after their engagement in 2017. Harry also developed ties to local youth initiatives years before marrying Meghan. Their latest itinerary includes Community Recording Studio, Himmah Hub & Food Bank, and Epic Partners.

The Himmah engagement is expected to involve learning more about the organization’s work and helping with activities supporting local families. The visit also follows Harry’s lead after he made a separate donation to Himmah in May 2025. According to The Standard, that contribution was described as significant, although the amount was not publicly disclosed. The charity said Harry’s support would help provide hundreds of food parcels to vulnerable families.

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Face Renewed Scrutiny During UK Return

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Harry and Meghan’s Nottingham visit comes amid renewed debate about their public roles following their return to Britain. The couple stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020 but have continued supporting charitable organizations independently of the monarchy. Their latest engagements have drawn comparisons to the appearances they made as working royals. As The Blast previously reported, Harry and Meghan faced criticism over their publicly circulated Nottingham itinerary, with some social media users questioning their security arrangements. The couple have also faced scrutiny over plans for a royal-style outing, even as reminders persist that they remain private citizens. Yet Meghan’s history with Himmah adds another dimension to their latest appearance.

Five years after the charity publicly acknowledged a donation it had initially feared revealing, Harry and Meghan are returning to an organization that has continued benefiting from their support. For Himmah, the connection has moved well beyond the original controversy, with both Sussexes now having contributed to its work. And for Meghan, the visit brings her back to a charity whose director once feared her name could damage its reputation but ultimately spoke publicly about how much her generosity meant.