US State Visit day 3: Lionel Richie joins King Charles at charity gala in New York

The literary engagement at the New York Public Library made a nod to the Queen's work in advancing literacy in the United Kingdom, with her charity The Queen’s Reading Room, launched in 2023, which works to celebrate and promote the power of reading, across the UK and beyond.

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Our royal contributor Emily Nash has, like the royals, jetted from D.C. to New York City, and is on the ground at the NYPL for the Queen's literary engagement.

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Sarah Jessica Parker and Queen Camilla, both devout readers and champions of literacy, the former having just been a Booker Prize judge, descended the stairs of the New York Public Library together during their afternoon engagement, which was also attended by Anna Wintour as well as Jenna Bush Hager, a fellow bookworm and literacy advocate.

While Queen Camilla was busy with engagement at the NYPL, King Charles was busy with his own engagement further uptown in Harlem, making a visit to Harlem Grown, a local community organization and after-school initiative tackling systemic health, education and wellbeing challenges faced by children and families.

The King promised to "keep trying" in his diplomatic mission to America, and speaking to staff and volunteers, including lead student ambassador Epiphany Adams, a social worker, who grew up taking part in Harlem Grown's programs and now volunteers in her spare time, he gave her a: "Well done," as founder Tony Hilliery noted: "She's a celebrity around here.

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I am handing things over to Faye James, who will take you along with the rest of the evening's events, with Queen Camilla and King Charles reuniting at a UK-US Cultural Reception following their separate engagements of the afternoon.

Stay tuned! 

Good evening! King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the Greater Together Reception in New York. 

The party was held to showcase UK’s cultural importance in the Big Apple and across the States - in areas such as sport, arts and community and was held in partnership with The King’s Trust, which has an America branch.

In a speech Charles, 77, who has cancer joked "as we look to the future, I won't see the long-distance future" he wanted those in the room to "champion the next generation".

Queen in a green chiffon leopard print dress joined the King meeting the stars like they were old friends.

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Lionel took the stage, and the King's Trust Global Ambassador, said: "I can assure everyone I'm not singing tonight."This is an honour. What an honour, They actually wrote a speech for me but I actually feel I know this gentleman from the heart.

He said the UK/US relationship is the 'best of cultural experience' s they 'put arms round kids, promote them to a better place".

"I've done this for 40 years. We are now taking it to the next stage, taking the global group around the world"

For 50 years the gentleman I'm gonna bring forward is actually responsible for more than you know about the heart of kids.

"When I met him we didnt have too much in common in terms of the way we grew up and then we started talking and we realised we're from the same place. We have the same heart"

"Then we started getting involved with people automatically we have the same heart, we have that same philanthropic.. how can we help kids," he added.

He introduced Charles to the stage who after two speeches yesterday said: "I hesitate to make yet another speech."  

He went on to say the evening was an opportunity to celebrate the King's Trust and the "enduring bond" between the UK and US.

Charles added: "Which of course is a relationship rooted in shared creativity, enterprise and values reminding us we are truly greater together, that's the point.

"It's a wonderfully and proud but extraordinary moment to think its 50 years since I started this Trust. Quite difficult to get it off the ground but we did.

He hailed the "difference it made" over five decades "investing in young people" to create "self-confidence" and has created "highly successful" businesses sold on for millions.

He said: "As we look to the future, I won't see the long-distance future, but I'm enormously grateful to you for what you can all do as supporters to help in this vital endeavour to champion the next generation ensuring that their talent and ambition continue to strengthen our society for many years to come.

He added: "With the help of people like Lionel Richie, bearing in mind he isn't singing this evening, how does he do it? Gargle with port or something? 

"Thank you for being here you've been very noble to come and support and presence are really deeply appreciated."

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 Inside we spotted loads of celebrities from Lionel Richie, Anna Wintour, Stella McCartney, model Iman, Ralph Lauren, Katherine Jenkins, model Iman, and Donatella Versace. There were some stunning outfits for the evening all covered in our best dressed round up. I'm wrapping up for the night and handing over to the morning team. Goodnight!