Idris Elba receives knighthood from King Charles at Windsor Castle

Sir Idris Elba discussed his knighthood while joining King Charles at a King's Trust celebration

Sir Idris Elba received a knighthood in King Charles' New Year Honours and reflected on the longstanding connection to The King's Trust as he joined the monarch at a Buckingham Palace garden party celebrating the charity's 50th anniversary.

The actor was among a number of high-profile guests attending the event, alongside broadcasters Ant and Dec, presenter Holly Willoughby, actress Dame Helen Mirren and actor Damian Lewis. Sir Idris is also a former beneficiary of the youth charity founded by Charles in 1976.

During the event, King Charles spent time meeting young people and alumni supported by the organisation before approaching a DJ booth where Sir Idris and Christian St Louis, a 22-year-old Trust graduate from Greater Manchester, were performing.

Speaking afterwards, Sir Idris recalled discussing youth opportunities and his own experiences with the King. "Well, this morning we had an amazing time at the National Youth Music Theatre and I was telling him that like it just took me back to when I first did that and I was laughing about that and he said he was going to DJ today, and he did."

The actor also joked about the King's brief appearance behind the decks. "Well, he pressed play and as a DJ, I know that's the hardest part."

Asked whether the King enjoyed the electronic music being played during the rain-soaked gathering, Sir Idris replied, "Well, he didn't stick around, let's put it that way."

The celebration highlighted the impact of The King's Trust, which says it has supported more than 1.3 million young people across the UK over the past five decades. Sir Idris's appearance carried additional significance as one of the charity's most prominent success stories and one of Britain's newest knights.