During a dinner at Buckingham Palace, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, founder and President of The Prince’s Trust, on March 12 announced His Highness the Aga Khan as Global Founding Patron of The Prince’s Trust’s work.
His Highness the Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which today works in 30 countries around the world to improve the quality of life of tens of millions of people.
The Aga Khan met with The Prince of Wales at the dinner, where he was thanked for his support.
Supporters of the charity’s work such as Amal and George Clooney, and long-term Ambassadors Benedict Cumberbatch and Sir Tom Jones, also joined the dinner at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the work of The Prince’s Trust around the world.
The announcement comes at a time when The Prince’s Trust is expanding its work and network of expertise globally. As Global Founding Patron, His Highness will support the delivery of The Trust’s work in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and through local partners in India, Jordan, Pakistan, Malta, Barbados and Greece.
Founded by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, The Prince’s Trust has been helping vulnerable young people across the UK since 1976, and is now helping to tackle the global issue of youth unemployment, and supporting young people and their communities to have more positive futures.
Also among the dinner guests were Ambassadors Chiwetel Ejiofor, Luke Evans and Tinie Tempah.
Dame Martina Milburn DCVO CBE, Group Chief Executive said: “We are immeasurably grateful to His Highness the Aga Khan for his contribution to our work and are delighted to welcome him as Global Founding Patron."
“It has been humbling and inspiring to take time tonight, with our dedicated supporters, to celebrate the success of our international work to date and look to a very exciting future."
“Through His Highness’s incredible generosity, and the continued support of our global network, we can expand our work to transform young lives and build stronger communities across the world.”
The Prince’s Trust Group includes the work of The Prince’s Trust in the UK alongside a network of charities; Prince’s Trust International, The Prince’s Trust Canada, The Prince’s Trust Australia and The Prince’s Trust New Zealand. All of the charities within The Prince’s Trust Group were established by HRH The Prince of Wales. Together, they are providing meaningful support for young people, military veterans, indigenous groups and environmental projects.
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps young people to develop the confidence and skills they need to realize their ambitions, so that they can live, learn and earn. Founded by The Prince of Wales in 1976, the charity supports 11 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed, struggling at school and at risk of exclusion.
