Nina Dobrev, Laura Harrier, Meghann Fahy and others lined up to meet the king and queen on Wednesday evening at Christie’s.Nina Dobrev, Laura Harrier, Meghann Fahy and others lined up to meet the king and queen on Wednesday evening at Christie’s.
Never before have we wondered if King Charles III has seen “The Vampire Diaries,” but after watching him make small talk with Nina Dobrev, the concept is now front of mind.
The king himself was the man of the hour, alongside Queen Camilla, at the fifth annual King’s Trust Gala, held Wednesday at Christie’s in Midtown Manhattan. Marking 50 years of the charity, which was called the Prince’s Trust until 2024, this year’s benefit featured an appearance by the royals, which was Charles’ first trip to New York since 2007.
The gala began with a 4:30 p.m. red carpet and cocktail hour, where trays of “the queen’s cocktail” were on offer (gin, bitters, elderflower liquor and vermouth with a twist). Ralph Lauren, along with Ricky and David, were early arrivals, chatting with the CFDA’s Steven Kolb. Guests including Lionel Richie, Donatella Versace, Iman, Meghann Fahy and Leo Woodall, Laura Harrier, Charlotte Tilbury, Martha Stewart, Dobrev and Karlie Kloss made their way along the red carpet and into the galleries at Christie’s.
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The room was on high alert for the arrival of the royals, with strict instructions to put down any camera or phone at sight of them.
Naturally, the rules don’t apply to celebrities, and Stewart had her phone camera up and on when it came time for her to greet the king. Tilbury swapped double cheek kisses with His Royal Highness, who shook hands and chatted briefly with grouped guests.
“Hope you haven’t been waiting too long,” he said as he made his way through, passing a tall glass of water to the gentleman next to him in full regalia.
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After an introduction by Christian Turner, the British ambassador to the U.S., Charles took the podium and thanked everyone for supporting the work of the trust.
“It’s a wonderfully proud, extraordinary moment to think that it’s 50 years since I started this trust,” the king told the room in his brief address, adding that the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. — which his trip was partially aimed at repairing — is one “rooted in shared creativity, enterprise and value, reminding us that we are truly greater together.”
Shortly after, the royals departed, while the rest of the crowd moved upstairs for dinner and remarks.
“This evening isn’t just about a celebration,” said Richie, a global ambassador of the organization. “It’s a moment to come together around an idea that has been changing lives for 50 years and will continue to do so for generations to come.”
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