Prince William and Kate Middleton set up Charitable Gift Fund

Prince William and Kate Middleton have asked for people to make a donation to charity instead of sending them wedding presents.

The British royal and his bride-to-be - who will tie the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29 - have set up a Charitable Gift Fund to allow people who are considering buying them a gift to give to a selection of charities chosen by the couple.

A statement on the royal wedding website said: "Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton are extremely grateful for all the goodwill messages and presents being sent in celebration of their forthcoming Wedding. The couple are suggesting to those who are considering sending them a wedding present that instead they might consider making a charitable gift to a selection of chosen charities. In doing so the couple hope to create a legacy of community impact from the Royal Wedding."

Although Prince William is a patron of a number of charitable causes, he and Kate have decided to choose causes they have no relation to in order to help the organisations gain more exposure.

The statement continued: "All the charities intended to benefit from the Fund have been chosen by Prince William and Miss Middleton. They reflect the couple's passions and interests as well as some of their experiences in their lives together so far.

"None of the charities chosen have any formal relationship with either Prince William or Miss Middleton. Rather the couple have chosen to take the chance to benefit some causes that have less exposure or which are undertaking valuable work in areas of the community which the couple feel would benefit from this support.

"Prince William retains all his current Patronages and will continue to support them in his usual way."

Donations can be made via the website at www.royalweddingcharityfund.org