“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.
A rousing live auction followed, which saw covetable lots including front row seats to the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Fashion Week and art by Mr. Brainwash fetching mega amounts. With the room on an adrenaline high, it was time for Grammy Award-winner John Legend to take to the stage to serenade the audience with his honey tones; singing crowd-pleasers All of Me and Ordinary People.
In a letter that was read to the audience by a young beneficiary, Ariana Faye Penalosa from Canada, His Majesty remarked that he could never have imagined the reach of the charity, which has now helped more than one million brilliant young people, when he started it in 1976. But despite being almost half a century in, it seems like the Trust is just getting started as it continues to expand and launch new initiatives. As Jeremy Green, Chairman of The King’s Trust USA, put it: “Our name may have changed, but our mission remains the same—to help young people in underserved communities to learn, earn, and thrive.”
Couple that with some Tilbury-esque confidence and a belief in making your own magic, and you’ve got a recipe for solid success.
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