This week, King Charles III hosted Hollywood actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, a human rights lawyer, at Buckingham Palace. The 2025 King’s Trust Awards recognised young changemakers with a royal reception.
The Clooneys came to honour young people who are truly making differences in their communities. They were accompanied by Dame Joanna Lumley along with actors Joseph Fiennes and Dame Joanna Lumley, beauty guru Charlotte Tilbury, musicians the Sugababes, and presenters Declan Donnelly, Fearne Cotton, Kate Garraway and other King’s Trust supporters.
George, 64, and Amal, 47, shared a light moment at the royal reception, reconnecting with the monarch, smiling and talking.
Amal chose a black off-the-shoulder dress with a fitted waist and delicate bow detailing on the sleeves for the event. She accessorised sparingly, with a ring and bracelet and finishing the ensemble with a basic clutch. George looked dapper in a black shirt and a grey suit.
Ahead of Thursday’s presentation ceremony, Charles met the winners of this year’s King’s Trust and TK Maxx and Homesense Awards.
Young people who have overcome adversity and succeeded personally with the help of The King’s Trust are honoured annually with the King’s Trust Awards.
The awardees this year include young people who have struggled with unemployment, mental health issues, and educational challenges.
Charles met the recipients of eight UK-based awards: Enterprise, Education, Breakthrough, Young Change Maker, Young Achiever, Community Impact, Rising Star, and Volunteer of the Year.
Three recipients of global awards were also honoured by the King. These included the Amal Clooney Woman’s Empowerment Award, the Global Sustainability Award, and the Global Young Achiever Award.
Additionally, the reception commemorated the King’s Trust International’s 10th anniversary. In 2015, Charles established the initiative, which was formerly called Prince’s Trust International. Since then, it has spread to more than 20 nations. More than 100,000 youth in Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Jamaica, Greece, and other countries have benefited from the initiative.
The Clooneys had previously attended a royal event in 2019, when The Trust was still known as The Prince’s Trust. George and Amal had attended a Buckingham Palace dinner.
The King’s Trust International’s CEO Will Straw after thanking ambassadors, staff, and volunteers, and supporters, turned to the King. “But Sir, we must thank you above everyone for your leadership, your role as our royal founding president. The bold vision you had in 1976 still endures today because of your unstinting vision and belief in young people’s potential,” he said.