The King's Trust celebrated its 50th. B-Day!

Fifty years of helping young people build a future

In 1976, the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, founded what would become one of the United Kingdom’s most influential youth charities: the The King’s Trust.

Originally known as The Prince’s Trust, the organisation was created with a clear mission: helping vulnerable young people between the ages of 11 and 30 who were struggling with unemployment, homelessness, disability, difficulties at school or problems with the law. Nearly fifty years later, that mission remains as important as ever.

The idea behind the trust was remarkably personal. At the time, the young Prince Charles used part of his naval severance pay to launch initiatives supporting disadvantaged youth. What began as a small project gradually evolved into a nationwide network offering training programmes, mentoring, grants and business support.

Over the decades, the charity has grown into the leading youth organisation in the United Kingdom. More than one million young people have received support through its programmes, while thousands have been guided towards entrepreneurship, employment and education. The impact has been extraordinary, both socially and economically.

A major milestone came in 1999, when the many trust charities were united under one umbrella organisation. The following year, Queen Elizabeth II granted the trust a royal charter during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, formally recognising the importance of its work.

Following the accession of King Charles III in 2022, the Prince’s Trust officially became The King’s Trust. While the name changed, the heart of the organisation did not. The King remains president of the trust and continues to champion opportunities for young people across the United Kingdom and beyond.

Today, the charity operates internationally through the King’s Trust Group, with programmes extending to countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Ghana and Nigeria. The trust’s work reflects a modern understanding that young people everywhere deserve the opportunity to build confidence, skills and independence.

The King’s Trust has also attracted support from many well known ambassadors. Figures such as Phil Collins, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch and Lionel Richie have all helped raise awareness for the organisation and its programmes.

One of the most remarkable aspects of The King’s Trust is how closely it reflects King Charles’s long standing philosophy of practical action and community support. Long before he became monarch, he believed in investing in people, encouraging craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and confidence among younger generations.

In many ways, The King’s Trust has become one of the lasting legacies of King Charles’s decades as Prince of Wales. While royal engagements and ceremonies often attract headlines, this charity quietly transformed countless lives behind the scenes.

As The King’s Trust continues its work in 2026, nearly half a century after its founding, it remains a powerful example of how royal initiatives can create lasting social change far beyond palace walls.

Yesterday on May 14th. 2026 people who were involved with the King's Trust, were invited at a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. One of the guests was the daughter of great friend Lally Brown. Thank you for the pictures!

Follow the All About Royal Families blog on Instagram, Facebook and X for more royal history, royal charities and stories connecting past and present.

Follow the King's Trust as well! This charity is amazing! 

Source pictures: King's Trust Buckingham Palace Lally Brown