Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle can only keep certain gifts from businesses and royal fans. Pictured: Markle attends day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images/Clive Mason

Meghan Markle recently celebrated her 37th birthday, but the Duchess of Sussex is not allowed to keep all of the gifts she might have received.

Zoe Forsey, the acting audience editor of Mirror, said that there are some royal family guidelines when it comes to receiving and keeping presents.

“The fundamental principle governing the acceptance of gifts by members of the royal family is that no gifts, including hospitality or service, should be accepted which would, or might appear to, place the member of the royal family under any obligation to the donor,” the royal family website stated.

However, the member of the royal family should also consider whether or not their refusal to accept a present will offend the giver.

According to Elle, the Duchess of Sussex is allowed to keep samples from businesses like fashion designers that may be too costly to return. Markle is also allowed to keep gifts from businesses that were given to her as souvenirs. If Markle’s fans gave her presents, she will be able to keep them if they do not cost more than $194.

Money that is given on behalf of Markle but that will, later on, be donated to charity and books that are not about controversial topics may also be kept by Prince Harry’s wife.

On the other hand, some of the items she needs to return are samples and gifts from businesses that don’t cost too much to send back, gifts from fans that pose concerns regarding their motives, money that Markle cannot donate, and books on controversial topics.

As of late, it is still unclear what presents Markle received on her 37th birthday on Aug. 4. But it has been reported that Queen Elizabeth II gave her and Prince Harry a new home.

Laura Mowat, a journalist for Express, said that the Queen gave the Duke and Duchess of Sussex the Adelaide Cottage as their second home. Adelaide Cottage is part of the Crown Estates, which means that Prince Harry and Markle cannot own it. The royal couple can only lease it for several years.

However, a royal staff has not yet confirmed or denied the report.

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