King Charles III Spins Tunes and Inspires Young Creatives in Manchester
During a recent visit to Manchester, King Charles III demonstrated a surprising flair for deejaying, stepping behind the decks to spin some music. The monarch’s visit to Aviva Studios, the home of the arts organization Factory International, was centered around meeting young individuals who have benefited from the King’s Trust charity.
One of these promising young people was Christian St Louis, a 22-year-old aspiring DJ from Middleton, Greater Manchester. St Louis extended an invitation to His Majesty to try his hand at the DJ booth. As he guided the King through the process, St Louis explained the technicalities of loading tracks and operating the equipment, noting, “There are so many buttons. Once you know what to do, it’s easy.”
The King, visibly engaged with the music, moved to the rhythm. An onlooker commented on the perceived difficulty of the task, to which His Majesty humorously replied, “I’m trying to get the hang of it.” St Louis, who previously hailed from East London, shared how a DJing course facilitated by the King’s Trust had been “more than helpful.” He expressed his long-held ambition to become a DJ, stating, “I always wanted to DJ. Now I know I can do it.” St Louis is now focused on saving money to purchase his own equipment and has aspirations of releasing his own extended play (EP) music recording.
This initiative aligns with the King’s Trust’s broader efforts. In 2024, the King’s Trust partnered with the Elba Hope Foundation, a charitable organization founded by actor Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina. Together, they launched “Creative Futures,” a program offering a series of free courses designed to ignite young people’s passion for the arts. The program aims to equip them with essential skills and bolster their confidence, preparing them for careers in the dynamic creative industries. It’s worth noting that Idris Elba himself received support from the King’s Trust (formerly known as the Prince’s Trust) during his teenage years, highlighting the enduring impact of the organization.
Another young individual who has benefited from the King’s Trust is Mariama Gallow, a 19-year-old from Manchester. Gallow had the honor of reciting her original poetry to the King. Having completed a creative music course through the trust, she has since expanded her learning to include health and social care. King Charles expressed his admiration for her work, mentioning that he had already seen an example of her poetry which Idris Elba had shown him on a film clip. He described it as “fantastic. Really, really good.”
During his tour of Aviva Studios, His Majesty also met with young people who have acquired valuable stagecraft skills, including lighting, sound, and production, through the Factory Academy. This academy, based at Aviva Studios, is a key component of Factory International’s commitment to fostering talent.
The “Creative Futures” program has already made a significant impact, assisting over 100 young people in Manchester. Its reach is now extending to support young individuals in other regions across the United Kingdom. Established in 2018 by Factory International, the Factory Academy is dedicated to creating accessible career pathways into the creative sectors and enhancing creative skills throughout the region. The academy has forged a collaborative relationship with the King’s Trust to deliver the “Creative Futures” programs, amplifying their impact.
To commemorate his visit, King Charles unveiled a plaque. Following the ceremony, he was treated to an outdoor performance by a choir from the Royal Northern College of Music. The King also took a moment to engage with members of the public who had gathered outside the city-center venue, braving the rain. Among them was Jodie Pownall, a childminder from New Mills, Derbyshire, who brought along her young children: one-year-old twins Teddy and Kuba, two-year-old Jackson, and Ronnie, Stevie, and George, all aged one. The royal posed for a photograph with the families, a memorable reward for their patience in the inclement weather.
