Prince William and Kate Middleton may bypass the tradition of receiving elaborate gifts on their wedding day by requesting instead that guests make a donation to a list of chosen charities.

A Clarence House spokesman advised that the philanthropic idea was "one of many options" being considered, but the move would be a royal first.

It is expected that close to 300 guests will attend the royal wedding reception on 29 April. If guests were equally generous in their donations as they have proven to be in their gifts at previous weddings, the affair could provide a boost of £millions for the sector.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana received over 6,000 gifts on their wedding day including a sapphire pendant and a solid gold model of an Arabian sailing dhow. 

Both Prince William and his fiancée already support a number of charities and in December Prince William became patron of the Imperial War Museum Foundation.