King Charles told Sir Idris Elba he would DJ at a Buckingham Palace garden party celebrating the 50th anniversary of the King's Trust youth charity – and then pressed play on the decks, the actor revealed.
Sir Idris was among several famous faces attending the event on Thursday afternoon, which marked half a century since the charity's founding in 1976. Guests included celebrity ambassadors such as broadcasters Ant and Dec, Holly Willoughby, actors Dame Helen Mirren, Damian Lewis, and Sir Idris, who is an alumnus of the Trust.
After spending over an hour greeting guests, including some 50 young people and alumni supported by the charity, Charles walked up the garden steps in the pouring rain, holding an umbrella. He paused to speak to Christian St Louis and Sir Idris, who were standing by DJ decks. St Louis, 22, from Middleton in Greater Manchester, had taken a DJing course through the Trust and performed at the party as guests danced in the rain clutching umbrellas.
Asked what he discussed with the King, Sir Idris said: “Well, this morning we had an amazing time at the National Youth Music Theatre and I was telling him that it just took me back to when I first did that and I was laughing about that and he said he was going to DJ today, and he did.” The 53-year-old actor joked: “Well he pressed play and as a DJ I know that’s the hardest part.” When asked whether Charles enjoyed the electronic, fast-paced music, Sir Idris laughed and said: “Well, he didn’t stick around, let’s put it that way.”
Earlier, the King, wearing a grey suit, blue tie, and a red King's Trust pin on his lapel, arrived at the party on the palace steps and descended after the band played the national anthem. Ant and Dec presented him with a yearbook documenting stories from staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries of the Trust.
Darnell Allman-Smith, 22, from Brixton in south London, shared his story of how the Trust changed his life. He said he was going through a “bit of a depressive episode” when he got the last place on the charity’s Making it in Media course with Ant and Dec. “Growing up, my interest has always been in film, media and music so it was almost like a gift by god that there was that one spot left. At first I said no because I felt like I wasn’t ready, but they kindly held the position open to give me time to reconsider. The course was two weeks, and within that time I got over my depression and social anxiety, started to make friends again, and life slowly got back to normal. Those two weeks were one of the biggest changes in my entire life. The Trust has not only continued to support me but given me strength, ambition, and inspiration to do better and pass on that courage to others.” Mr Allman-Smith has since worked on a Netflix show and thanked the King during their brief chat. He added: “My mum also wanted me to pass on her personal thank yous because I care for her, and she noticed a change in me. Not only has he helped me, he’s also helped my mum.”
The Trust says it has helped over 1.3 million young people across the UK in the past 50 years, aiming to end youth unemployment and help young people create better futures. Thursday’s guests, some wearing thick coats and holding umbrellas, smiled and chatted despite the gloomy weather. Former England football coach Sir Gareth Southgate and musician Myleene Klass were also present. More than 4,000 guests enjoyed refreshments including mini scones with blackcurrant jam and clotted cream, chocolate tiffin, and elderflower, trout and lemon cream cheese mini bagels. During a typical summer gathering, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches, and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed.
