King Charles made a brief foray into the world of DJing at a Buckingham Palace garden party celebrating half a century of his youth charity.
Sir Idris Elba, who attended the event marking the King’s Trust 50th anniversary, revealed the monarch had announced his intention to take to the decks before hitting play on the equipment.
“Well he pressed play and as a DJ I know that’s the hardest part,” the 53-year-old actor quipped.
When asked if Charles had appreciated the fast-paced electronic music being played, Sir Idris responded with a laugh: “Well, he didn’t stick around, let’s put it that way.”
King Charles III with Christian St Louis and Sir Idris Elba (right) during a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
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The charity, established in 1976, hosted the celebration despite persistent rain throughout the afternoon.
The guest list featured numerous celebrity ambassadors for the Trust, with television presenters Ant and Dec joined by Holly Willoughby, while Dame Helen Mirren and Damian Lewis represented the acting world.
Sir Idris himself is a former beneficiary of the charity’s programmes.
Former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate and broadcaster Myleene Klass were also among the more than 4,000 attendees.
King Charles joined forces with Sir Idris Elba for the occasion
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Despite the gloomy conditions, guests wrapped in thick coats and clutching umbrellas smiled and chatted enthusiastically as they gathered to catch glimpses of the King.
Christian St Louis, a 22-year-old from Middleton in Greater Manchester who had completed a DJing course through the Trust, provided the entertainment while partygoers danced through the downpour.
Darnell Allman-Smith described experiencing a “bit of a depressive episode” when he secured the final spot on the charity’s Making it in Media course with Ant and Dec.
The 22-year-old from Brixton initially turned down the opportunity, feeling unprepared, but organisers held his place while he reconsidered.
King Charles III with Christian St Louis during a Royal Garden Party
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“The course was two weeks and within that two weeks, I got over my depression, my social anxiety, I started to make friends again, and life kind of slowly got back to normal,” he said.
Mr Allman-Smith described the fortnight as among the most transformative periods of his life, crediting the Trust with providing him strength, ambition and inspiration.
He has since worked on a Netflix production and used his conversation with the King to express gratitude, including thanks from his mother, whose health he said had improved significantly since witnessing her son’s transformation.
The King’s Trust reports having supported more than 1.3 million young people throughout the United Kingdom over its five-decade history, with a focus on tackling youth unemployment and helping young people build better futures.
Guests during a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London
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Charles arrived at the celebration dressed in a grey suit with a blue tie, sporting a red King’s Trust pin on his lapel, before descending the palace steps following the national anthem.
Ant and Dec presented him with a yearbook containing stories from staff, volunteers and those who have benefited from the charity’s work.
The monarch spent upwards of an hour meeting guests, including approximately 50 young people and alumni supported by the organisation.
Refreshments for the 4,000 attendees included mini scones with blackcurrant jam and clotted cream, chocolate tiffin, and trout and lemon cream cheese mini bagels.