The King and Idris Elba have discussed how to help young people affected by youth violence.
The actor joined His Majesty at St James’s Palace as part of a King’s Trust event to examine initiatives that “might help address youth violence in the UK”.
When Elba was a teenager he received a £1,500 grant from the then Prince’s Trust to attend the National Youth Music Theatre.
He and the King also discussed collaboration in Sierra Leone between Prince’s Trust International and the Elba Hope Foundation.
His Majesty and the star of Luther joined a roundtable discussion with young people and youth organisations to “hear reflections from their conversations”, the palace said.
Finding “positive opportunities for young people impacted by youth violence in the UK” was of particular importance.
The palace said the King’s Trust and the Elba Hope Foundation had “pledged to work together on a new ‘Creative Futures’ initiative, to inspire young people through the arts and support them into jobs in the creative industries”.
Read more:
King and Queen visit Senedd to celebrate Welsh devolution
Palace visitors to get chance to re-enact royal balcony moment – almost
Courses offered by the Trust help “young people aged 11-30 to develop essential life skills, get ready for work and access job opportunities”.
It was founded by the King in 1976, and has helped more than a million young people across the UK, the palace said.