First King’s Trust Global Gala takes place in New York City

On Thursday, 2 May, at Casa Cipriani in New York City, King’s Trust Global Ambassadors Lionel Richie and Edward Enninful OBE hosted a glittering gala to raise funds in support of The King’s Trust Group.

Previously known as The Prince’s Trust Group, The King’s Trust Group now operates in 25 countries, including the USA, and has helped 1.2 million young people move into education, employment or enterprise.

The gala is the Group’s first event under its new name, following the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III in 2023.

In a letter that was read to the audience by a young beneficiary, Ariana, from Canada, His Majesty remarked:

Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me enormous pride and pleasure to be able to celebrate this evening the first ever King’s Trust event. When I started The Trust in 1976, I could never have imagined the reach that the organisation would have in the UK and in more than 20 countries around the world, or the more than a million brilliant young people we have been able to support.

Guests at the Global Gala enjoyed a special performance by Grammy Award winner John Legend, who took a break from his role as a judge on The Voice to sing hits including “All of Me” and “Ordinary People”. Three young people supported by The Trust also took to the stage to share their personal experiences of taking part in programmes in the USA, UK and Barbados.

Chairman of the Global Ambassador Board and Global Ambassador Lionel Richie said:

My association with The Trust goes back to the 1980s and so much has been achieved since then but there remains so much more to do. I remain truly inspired by His Majesty’s commitment to this cause and as Chair of the Global Ambassador Group, I am delighted that we are now The King’s Trust, cementing the future legacy of this work. The world is tough for young people right now and I’m a huge believer in the approach of The King’s Trust, to create opportunities and equip young people with the skills and self-belief to succeed on their own terms.

King’s Trust Global Ambassador Edward Enninful OBE added:

This generation has the power to change the world and we all have a duty to address the inequalities which stop any young person from fulfilling their potential. It’s a huge honour for me to support the organisation, now as The King’s Trust, as it continues to help to bridge the gap, not only in the UK, but where I grew up in Ghana and now here in the USA and many countries around the world.

Associate Sponsor and Trust supporter Margot McKinney said:

I am delighted to be here once again supporting the vital work of The King’s Trust. Having supported this work in Australia for many years, it is an honour to continue my support at an evening like this bringing together so many like-minded supporters who believe in young people around the world.

The King’s Trust USA (previously The Prince’s Trust USA) launched its first programmes in the USA in 2023 and currently works in New York, Detroit and Chicago to deliver Enterprise Challenge, a school-based competition for 11- to 16-year-olds to develop their entrepreneurial spirit and business knowledge.

The King’s Trust USA plans to extend its work into other parts of the USA and will introduce two new initiatives this year, including a jobs fair and grants.

Jeremy Green, Chairman of The King’s Trust USA, said:

Our name may have changed but our mission remains the same – to help young people in underserved communities to learn, earn and thrive. As His Majesty The King said when The Trust first started, every young person deserves the chance to succeed. It’s with thanks to His Majesty and to supporters like Lionel and Edward, and all the guests here tonight, that The King’s Trust can continue giving young people around the world the opportunities to build their future.

The King’s Trust Group network includes the work of The Prince’s Trust in the UK plus The King’s Trust International, The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand, The King’s Trust Australia, The King’s Trust Canada and The King’s Trust USA.

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