King Charles delighted a star-studded audience at the Greater Together Reception in New York on Wednesday evening, cracking jokes alongside music legend Lionel Richie. The gala, held at Christie’s in Midtown Manhattan, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust and drew a host of American and British celebrities, including Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart, and Donatella Versace.
The monarch, who is on a week-long visit to the US, took to the stage and quipped: “I hesitate to make another speech because I may have had enough.” He also praised Richie’s singing voice, joking: “I don’t know how he does it; he must gargle with port or something.” Richie, who performed at the King’s coronation in 2023, joined the monarch on stage during the evening.
In a more serious note, the King thanked attendees for supporting his charity’s work, saying: “I won't see the long-distance future, but I'm enormously grateful to you all for what you can all do as supporters to help this vital endeavor, to champion the next generation.” The event also promoted transatlantic ties, with the King highlighting the importance of the relationship between the UK and US.
Earlier in the day, the King and Queen visited the 9/11 Memorial and met with first responders and victims’ families. They also met New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. At a separate event, the Queen met with actress Sarah Jessica Parker at the New York Public Library.
The royal couple began their four-day US visit on Monday with a private tea session with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House, followed by a tour of the South Lawn. On Tuesday, the King made history by addressing both houses of Congress, becoming only the second British monarch to do so.
