John Legend Performs for Fashion and Entertainment Royalty at The King’s Trust Gala in Manhattan

The King’s Trust Gala—formerly Prince’s Trust Gala—brought A-list glamor and heartfelt stories to Cipriani South Street on Thursday evening. The black tie affair was helmed by King’s Trust Global Ambassadors Lionel Richie and Edward Enninful OBE, who mined their respective rolodexes to curate a guestlist magnanimous enough to shine a light on the important global philanthropic work of the Trust. Plus! In terms of star power and style, it sure gave a little teaser of what to expect from Monday’s Met Gala red carpet too…

It was the gala’s inaugural time stepping out since the charity adopted its new moniker last winter, following the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. Lionel Richie, chairman of the global ambassador board, who’s been involved with the charity since the 1980s, was back to co-chair the celebration—perhaps expecting a call any minute as his daughter Sofia Richie Grainge is reportedly due her baby girl this month.

Of the Trust’s mission, Richie praised the organization for arming those it supports with the skills, education, opportunities, and self-belief to “succeed on their own terms.” Edward Enninful echoed this sentiment, saying that lifting up the youth is imperative. “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,” he said.

Making the most of the golden hour light pre-dinner, runway regulars from the last few decades gathered on the terrace to exchange air kisses with actresses and athletes. Golden hour or not, one woman who is routinely responsible for a supermodel-worthy glow is Charlotte Tilbury. The beauty maestro, whose team of artists had painted the faces of guests including Kate Moss, Drew Barrymore, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Eileen Gu, and Iris Law for the occasion, became involved with the Trust and its Enterprise program three years ago to ensure as many people as possible can find their inner light.  

“I’m very inspired by King Charles—he has added billions to the economy in the UK and was a visionary about doing this work globally around the world to help young people,” she told Vogue. Dressed in her signature take on gothic glam—this time around, a vintage Roberto Cavalli number from her archive and a jeweled snake necklace—Tilbury noted that her role involves mentoring, funding, and inspiring, and that her brand subsequently hires countless “incredible people” they meet through the Trust too.

“I feel incredibly privileged and humbled to be a part of this,” Tilbury continued. “My whole brand is about confidence, and King Charles always talks about the virtuous circle of life and how it’s about confidence. This whole charity is about confidence, so for me, it’s an honor to partner with a charity where I can inspire young entrepreneurs to be able to achieve their dreams. It’s hugely powerful, and honestly one of the charities closest to my heart.”

To further illustrate the dream-making work of the Trust in 25 countries around the world, three young individuals who took part in programs in the USA, the UK, and Barbados spoke powerfully and poignantly about their life-changing experiences. Following the moving speeches, those in the sold-out ballroom, including Chrissy Teigen, Dominic West, Laverne Cox, Emily Ratajkowski, Irina Shayk, Ashley Graham, Law Roach, Iris Law, Joan Smalls, and Teyana Taylor, rose to their feet to give Megan, Nakya, and Akeme a well-earned standing ovation.