King Charles Tries His Hand at DJing During Manchester Charity Visit
King Charles showcased his musical side during a visit to Manchester, where he tried his hand at DJing at Aviva Studios. The monarch was all smiles as he took to the mixing table, guided by aspiring DJ Christian St Louis, a 22-year-old from Middleton, Greater Manchester.
Supporting Young People Through the King's Trust
The King met young people who have received support from the King's Trust charity during his tour of Aviva Studios, home to Factory International, the city's prominent arts organisation. Mr St Louis, who previously lived in east London, explained the basics of DJing to the King, demonstrating how to load tracks and navigate the equipment.
"First, you load up the tracks and then play this one. There are so many buttons. Once you know what to do, it's easy," Mr St Louis told the King. As Charles moved to the music, an onlooker remarked, "It's not as easy as it looks, is it?" to which the King laughed and replied, "You just have to get the hang of it."
Creative Futures Programme Making an Impact
Mr St Louis shared that taking a DJing course through the King's Trust had been "more than helpful." He expressed his long-held desire to DJ, saying, "I always wanted to DJ. Now I know I can do it." He is currently looking for a job to save up for his own decks, with ambitions to release an EP.
The King's Trust, in partnership with the Elba Hope Foundation—founded by actor and DJ Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina—launched Creative Futures in 2024. This programme offers free courses designed to inspire young people through the arts, building their skills and confidence for careers in the creative industries. Idris Elba himself was supported by the King's Trust, formerly known as the Prince's Trust, as a teenager.
Expanding Support Across the UK
Creative Futures has already assisted over 100 young people in Manchester and is now extending its support to other parts of the UK. Additionally, the Factory Academy, established in 2018 by Factory International, aims to provide accessible career pathways into the creative industries and enhance creative skills across the region.
During his visit, King Charles unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion and enjoyed a performance by a choir from the Royal Northern College of Music outside the studios.
Launching a Sustainability Initiative
The King's visit also included the launch of Circularity in Practice, a new initiative focused on repurposing and reusing pre-loved items to reduce waste. At the Renew Hub in Trafford Park, run by waste and recycling firm Suez, Charles used a compression staple gun to help restore a French-style settee. The furniture was reupholstered with fabric sourced from London's Royal Opera House, highlighting the project's commitment to sustainability.
This stop underscored the King's ongoing dedication to environmental causes, aligning with his long-standing advocacy for waste reduction and circular economy practices.
