King Charles and Queen Camilla have welcomed a host of famous faces to a charity gala in New York City.
The like of Anna Wintour and Lionel Richie were among the list of celebrity supporters of the King’s Trust who joined its founder and the Queen on Wednesday to celebrate the charity’s work and showcase the UK’s cultural impact on New York.
The gathering of stars, which included Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace, British creative Stella McCartney and model Iman, came at the end of a whirlwind royal day in Manhattan.
The King and Queen began by declaring they stood ‘in enduring solidarity with the American people’ when they commemorated those killed during the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Charles and Camilla’s words of sympathy were written in a message left with a bouquet of flowers placed at the imposing memorial in New York, honouring the thousands of people who lost their lives almost 25 years ago.
At the same event, he met with New York’s mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had suggested hours before meeting him that the the King should return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India.
In contrast to the poignant moment, the Queen later met Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker at an event celebrating literature at the New York Public Library, with the actress saying Camilla’s visit was ‘great for all New Yorkers’.
Richie, the first global ambassador and chairman of the Global Ambassador Group for the King’s Trust, said about Charles’ address on Tuesday on Capitol Hill: ‘I thought it was brilliant and how he threaded the needle – so brilliant, but brought us back into humanity as only he can do
‘A friend, giving advice as to what we should be doing, a wise friend.’
King Charles III meets Edward Enninful and Charlotte Tilbury at the Greater Together Reception, in partnership with King’s Trust, at the British-founded auction house Christie’s, in New York
Queen Camilla greets Anna Wintour (right) at the Greater Together Reception
Britain’s King Charles III speaks during the Greater Together Reception
Charles has been praised for his speech which outlined the issues, values and priorities important to the UK and many of its allies, from support for Ukraine to the threat to the environment and the importance of the rule of law.
The New York Times said: ‘Beneath King Charles’s jokes and decorum, some subtle rebuttals to Trump, King Charles III gently pushed back against President Trump’s attacks on Britain and Nato, and he spoke of the importance of checks and balances.’
During the reception at Christie’s auction house, Charles began by making the audience laugh when he told them: ‘I hesitate to make another speech because I may have had enough’.
The monarch, who has cancer, joked ‘as we look to the future, I won’t see the long-distance future’ and he urged those in the room to ‘champion the next generation’.
Charles and Camilla will end their four-day state visit, the King’s first trip to the US as monarch, on Thursday by marking the 250th anniversary of US independence.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have welcomed a host of famous faces to a charity gala in New York City
Katherine Jenkins and Andrew Levitas arriving at the Greater Together Reception
Supermodel Karlie Kloss, 33, posed up a storm on the red carpet in a daring red gown which featured a dramatic cape that draped across one arm. She finished the look with a pair of velvet pointed-toe heels in the same hue
Beloved celebrity chef Martha Stewart, 84, dazzled in a long-sleeved blue sequined gown that featured structured padding around the shoulders. She opted for black platform heels and a long clutch
Model and actress Iman, 70, made a bold statement at the charity gala in a black trouser-suit complete with dramatic train and striking headpiece. She added sparkle with a large ring and drop earrings
British fashion designer Stella McCartney showcased her style credentials in a dark blue satin with cape like sleeves and high-low hem. She completed the look with a black clutch bag, embellished tights and black strappy heels
Britain’s Queen Camilla speaks with British Global Editorial Director of Vogue Anna Wintour at a literacy event at the New York Public Library in New York
Charles and Camilla will end their four-day state visit, the King’s first trip to the US as monarch, on Thursday by marking the 250th anniversary of US independence
The royal couple will travel to Virginia to join residents at a ‘block-party’ featuring food and entertainment to celebrate America, the creation of the nation’s Founding Fathers described by Charles in his Congress address as ‘bold and imaginative rebels with a cause’.
In one of America’s national parks, the King will meet one of the area’s indigenous communities and people involved in conservation initiatives and efforts to protect the natural environment.
Separately, the Queen will visit a farm to highlight the work of America’s horse racing industry and the long-term links with the sport in the UK.
In a rare interview, the Queen said the trip had been ‘wonderful’.
Speaking to NBC, in an interview to be broadcast in the US on Thursday, Camilla told Jenna Bush Hager: ‘Everybody’s been very kind and welcoming.’
On Tuesday, the British royals attended a lavish state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump and wife Melania Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, amid their four-day state visit.
