King Charles met actor Idris Elba and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to discuss strategies to tackle violence and knife crime in the UK.
In a significant update shared on social media, the King urged the government to intensify efforts to combat youth violence and knife crime. The roundtable discussion at St James’s Palace included the Prime Minister, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy.
Charles, 75, emphasized his commitment to addressing these issues, noting his collaboration with Elba’s foundation through the King’s Trust. The Trust has a history of supporting young people, and Elba, an ambassador and former beneficiary, received a £1,500 grant from the Trust as a teenager to attend the National Youth Music Theatre.
During their meeting at Clarence House, King Charles praised Elba’s active efforts with his Elba Hope Foundation, which works alongside the King’s charity to create opportunities for young people and address youth violence.
Elba expressed his gratitude, highlighting their shared focus on the knife crime crisis and the recent achievement of banning zombie knives. He also mentioned the new Prime Minister’s support for their initiatives.
The discussion included plans for collaboration between the King’s Trust International and the Elba Hope Foundation in Sierra Leone. Both organizations aim to empower communities, enhance education, and promote sustainable development. They are launching a ‘Creative Futures’ initiative to inspire young people through the arts and help them secure jobs in the creative industries.
