A Night of Hope and Glamour at Casa Cipriani
On May 1st, the glamorous halls of Casa Cipriani in Lower Manhattan played host to an unforgettable evening, the fourth annual King’s Trust Global Gala. Over 400 distinguished guests gathered for one of the world’s premier philanthropic events, co-chaired by longtime Global Ambassadors Lionel Richie and Edward Enninful OBE. Against a backdrop of breath-taking views of the East River, the night celebrated the transformative stories of young people supported by the Trust and raised vital funds for our programme delivery worldwide.
The King’s Trust: A Legacy of Empowerment
Founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 1976, then the Prince of Wales, The King’s Trust began as a lifeline for disadvantaged youth in the UK. Nearly five decades later, the organisation now operates in 25 countries and has delivered education, employability and entrepreneurship programmes to over one million young people.
Having expanded to the U.S. with The King’s Trust USA just two years ago, The Trust has active youth initiatives in cities including New York, Chicago, Orlando, San Jose and Detroit. Its mission is bold: to equip young people regardless of their background with the confidence, skills and support they need to succeed in today’s workforce.
Stories, Songs and Standing Ovations
The evening commenced with a moving performance by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, who delivered a stirring rendition of a Sanskrit song celebrating unity and hope. Their performance set the tone for what would be a night of poignant storytelling and unshakable optimism.
Young Trust alumni then took to the stage. Darnell from the UK, a graduate of the “Ant & Dec’s Making It In Media” programme and red carpet host for the evening, shared his journey of overcoming personal challenges and finding faith in himself. Awushetu from Ghana gave a moving video message recounting how The Trust helped her go from homeless to securing a full-time live-in job.
Edward Enninful remarked: “Looking at the Trust’s impact today, whether in Ghana, the United States or across so many corners of the world, one truth stands out: lasting change is born from partnership.”
The grand finale saw Grammy-winner Nile Rodgers electrify the crowd with a showstopping set featuring classics like “Le Freak” and “Good Times”, closing the night on a note of sheer celebration.
Fashion Meets Philanthropy
With a red carpet that rivals awards show, the King’s Trust Global Gala has earned its nickname as the “pre-Met Gala.” Celebrities in attendance included Heidi Klum, Gayle King, Iman, Teyana Taylor, FKA twigs, Helena Christensen and Charlotte Tilbury, who also serves as an Ambassador for the Trust’s Enterprise programme.
The event drew in designers like LaQuan Smith, Daniel Lee and Christopher John Rogers, and coverage from Vogue, Hello!, Town & Country and WWD. In total, the gala generated over 3 Billion global media impressions, amplifying not only the glamour but also the mission of The King’s Trust.
“This for me hits home,” said LaQuan Smith. “I was once a 13-year-old boy sewing on my grandmother’s sewing machine. So, this is just a dream come true.”
Giving That Changes Lives
Beyond the elegant dinner and performances, the gala raised critical funds through both silent and live auctions. Guests bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences from a private Monet viewing in Paris to Premier League VIP experiences, and even a private dinner inside the Tower of London.
Though the final numbers are still being counted, early estimates indicate that this year’s gala will surpass $2.5m, making it the most successful gala to date.
The King’s Trust remains steadfast in its belief that potential should not be limited by geography, economics or circumstance and in line with our 10-year vision each dollar raised at the Global Gala goes directly towards creating opportunities for young people worldwide.
Charlotte Tilbury, who partners with The Trust through her brand Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, summed it up: “Being an entrepreneur and being able to give back is really important to me. The Trust is doing incredible work helping young founders launch their dreams.”
With Gratitude to Our Partners
The success of the 2025 Global Gala would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Our heartfelt thanks go to:
Newsweek, Charlotte Tilbury, Christie’s, Couture for Cause, Known Unknown NFT, Mastercard, RBC, Teneo, KT Australia, Aspen Heliskiing, Convelio, The Exquisite Group, Yankees, Marli New York, NINI Jewels, Rapport, Tania Bulhoes and Telemont.
Thanks to your generosity, belief and vision, The King’s Trust continues to grow its global impact, empowering the next generation of leaders, creators and change-makers.