Look To The Stars News: Prince Charles

Roger Moore Steps Up Battle Against Foie Gras

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Former James Bond star Roger Moore is continuing his fight against British supermarkets that stock Foie Gras by paying for and appearing in a new PETA ad placed outside the entrance to Selfridges Food Hall in central London.

Foie Gras is a pâté made from the livers of ducks and geese, and the actor is campaigning against the cruel way producers fatten the livers – up to two kilograms of mash are pumped into the birds’ stomachs through a pipe two or three times a day. The pipes sometimes puncture the birds’ throats, causing the animals to bleed to death.

The actor originally had a different image from the one used in mind, but the advertising agency deemed it as offensive.

“The ad agency deemed the image of the force-feeding of birds for foie gras offensive because it is offensive, but as foie gras production is too violent to show on an ad, surely this ‘torture in a tin’ is too violently produced for Selfridges [a British supermarket] to sell,” he said. “What I’m sure the public will find far more offensive is Selfridges’ refusal to stop selling foie gras, the production of which is so incredibly cruel that it is prohibited in Britain.”

The star is joined in his crusade by Phil Collins and Prince Charles.

“I have seen few things so revolting and shaming as the horrendous routine cruelty to ducks and geese that goes into the production of one of the world’s so-called culinary delicacies, foie gras,” wrote the veteran actor in the Daily Mail. “I refuse to speak to old friends who, even when they know how it is produced, are prepared to overlook the suffering for self-gratification.”

To watch a video narrated by Roger Moore about Foie Gras production, click here.

Prince Charles Thanks Celebrities For Charity Support

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles thanked a number of high-profile celebrities for their support of his Prince’s Trust this week by holding a special garden party at his Highgrove home near Tetbury, in Gloucestershire.

Along with the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles wined and dined over 100 guests, including Phil Collins – the Trust’s first ambassador – as well as Bryan Adams, Phillip Schofield, Gary Lineker, Sir Ben Kingsley, Jenson Button, Amanda Burton, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jeremy Irons, Joss Stone, Kate Adie, Aleisha Dixon and many others. The celebrity ambassadors were given a tour of the Highgrove estate in the late summer sun before lunching on asparagus and pea risotto followed by summer berries with pannacotta.

“I have been a Prince’s Trust ambassador for going back 20 years and it is has been a real privilege to be able to meet people who have benefited from the scheme and turned their life around,” said Gary Linekar.

The Prince’s Trust gives practical and financial support to help disadvantaged young people aged between 14 and 30 develop workplace skills. The Trust offers support by training, mentoring and giving financial assistance to help disadvantaged young people achieve their potential.

Mark Knopfler To Play For Prince's Trust

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Guitar legend Mark Knopfler is to play a one-off show for charity next month.

The former Dire Straits front man will perform an hour long set with a supporting band of five leading musicians in the intimate setting of The Hurlingham Club in West London on September 9. The concert will benefit the Prince’s Trust and will include many of the international hit songs of Dire Straits. In his career Mark has sold in excess of 120 million albums – he is listed in Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and to many aspiring musicians he is the ultimate icon.

The Prince’s Trust was set up by Prince Charles in 1976 to offer support to disadvantaged youth through training, mentoring and financial assistance.

Tickets to the show are selling fast, and are available here.

Prince Charles Wears The Badge Of Heroes

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were out and about in Norfolk for charity earlier this week.

The pair attended the Sandringham Flower Show and were given wristbands and badges by Help for Heroes to wear. The badge is a new initiative created to be worn by police in England and Wales who were barred from wearing the wristband because of a strict dress policy.

Norfolk Chief Constable Ian McPherson said Charles was the first person in the country to receive the badge, which features the colors of the three armed forces and is designed for the use of police officers.

“The badges were developed by Norfolk Constabulary so that officers would have a smarter alternative to wearing the Help for Heroes wrist band,” he said. “The Prince said he was a huge supporter of Help for Heroes and was delighted we’d taken the initiative.”

Help For Heroes is a charity aimed at helping injured British service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Prince Charles Talks Fishing Practices

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles hosted a reception for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an organization that has been promoting sustainable fishing practices across the globe, earlier this week.

During the event, the Prince of Wales compared current problems with over-fishing and the world’s endangered fish stocks to the discussions that surrounded climate change in the 1980s.

“The science tells us very clearly that if we continue to fish without any care for the long term sustainability of fish stocks we will soon face a nightmare collapse in stocks and inevitable starvation amongst the world’s poorest people,“ he said. “So I think the debate about the marine environment is rather like that which surrounded climate change in the 1980s. Back then climate change was something about which a few people were trying very hard to make their voices heard, occasionally myself, but nobody wanted to listen. Over the years I’ve tried to make speeches and hold seminars and those things about the fishing problem, but again it has been very difficult to get the attention of all sorts of people, agencies, organizations and the consumer – the subject was quite literally out of sight and out of mind.”

Over 2,000 seafood products around the world carry the MSC blue eco-label – the organization’s certificate for sustainable and well-managed fisheries.

“We are most grateful to HRH The Prince of Wales for hosting this event and joining the MSC in congratulating leaders in the seafood industry and supporters for their commitments to sustainability and achievements over the last decade,“ said MSC Executive Rupert Howes. “Transforming the global seafood market to a sustainable basis is a major, but achievable aim. It is one to which everyone, individually or corporately, can make a real contribution by making the most environmentally sound choices when harvesting or buying seafood. As we at the Marine Stewardship Council prepare for the next decade with our many partners, the support of The Prince of Wales will be invaluable in generating further momentum to help us all to achieve the goal of the world’s oceans teeming with life, and seafood supplies safeguarded for this and future generations.”

Stars Come Out For Charity Book Launch In London

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Richard Barker

The Prince’s Trust launched Inspired* by music on Thursday, July 9, at Starbucks’ flagship London store.

A-list celebrities from film, TV, music and sport have joined forces for Inspired* by music, a collection of exclusive portraits and personal stories of how one piece of music inspired their lives.

Jane Asher, Sophie Raworth, Jools Holland and IRONIK attended the launch party.

“The book is fantastic; full of beautiful photographs and many, many moving stories!” said Sophie Raworth.

IRONIK commented, “Tonight I’m here to support the Prince’s Trust. The power of music is influencing people. Music is so strong and can influence you in so many positive ways.”

P. Diddy, Kevin Spacey, Mark Ronson and Tony Blair are just some of the other stars in the book, which has already been praised by Stephen Fry as “the inspirational book of the year”.

HRH The Prince of Wales has written a personal foreword for the book and said:

“It seems to me that music is a fascinating phenomenon because, on the one hand, it is a truly universal language that knows no barriers of origin, creed or circumstance, and therefore has the capacity to engage us all.

“On the other, its expression and enjoyment is entirely personal, and so often the memory of a particular piece of music is bound up with an event in our lives.”

Award-winning photographer Cambridge Jones has contributed exclusive portraits of the stars and young people supported by The Prince’s Trust for the book, which is sponsored by Starbucks Coffee Company UK.

Inspired* by music will be sold in Starbucks coffeehouses across the UK and all other good book retailers from 10th July 2009. It is also available to pre-order from www.princes-trust.org.uk/inspired. Starbucks will also donate all profits from the sale of the book, with The Prince’s Trust receiving nearly £8 per book.

The money raised will help hundreds of unemployed young people into work or training with The Prince’s Trust.

Celebrities Inspired By Music For Charity

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new book in which celebrities share how music has changed their lives is set to raise money for the Prince’s Trust.

Inspired By Music features photos and stories from Take That, Al Pacino, Mark Ronson, Sharon Osbourne, Kevin Spacey, Bill Nighy, Bear Grylls, Ben Ainslie, Benedict Cumberbatch, Boris Johnson, Cerys Matthews, Gary Lineker, Gerald Scarfe, Jane Asher, Lemar, Michael Sheen, P. Diddy, Paul Gambaccini, Richard E. Grant, Ozzy Osbourne, Sir George Martin, Tony Blair and many more.

The book features a forward by Prince Charles, and award-winning photographer Cambridge Jones took exclusive portraits for it. Proceeds will go to the Prince’s Trust, which offers support by training, mentoring and financial assistance to help disadvantaged young people achieve their potential.

“[Music] seems to me that music is a fascinating phenomenon because, on the one hand, it is a truly universal language that knows no barriers of origin, creed or circumstance, and therefore has the capacity to engage us all,“ said the Prince. “On the other, its expression and enjoyment is entirely personal, and so often the memory of a particular piece of music is bound up with an event in our lives.”

The book goes on sale in the UK on Friday at Starbucks stores and selected bookshops.

The Prince’s Rainforest Project Shows Glory and Destruction

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:45:00 -0000

This year’s winner of The Prince’s Rainforests Project (PRP) Award, Daniel Beltrá, has released some initial photographs taken on the first leg of his prize – a fully-funded assignment to document the three major rainforest regions of the world.

“Travelling to the Amazon has been an incredible experience and I have been able to capture some powerful images that show the many different elements of the rainforest – the beauty, the wildlife, the local people and also the destruction,“ says Daniel. “It has been an eye-opening journey so far and I’m looking forward to photographing the Central African and South East Asian rainforests on the next parts of my trip. I hope the photos I produce will make a strongly persuasive argument for emergency action to preserve the world’s tropical rainforests.”

The PRP, founded by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, recognises that every year, destruction of the Earth’s rainforests releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than all the world’s cars, planes and ships put together and aims to achieve consensus about how the rate of deforestation might be slowed. The PRP is working with governments, businesses and non-profit organisations around the world to find solutions to deforestation – and to find them fast – with the ambition of ‘making the trees worth more alive than dead’. The project has also launched a global awareness campaign, asking people to sign up to put rainforests at the heart of the climate change debate.

Sony and the PRP are delivering a stunning interactive exhibition that will combine Daniel’s new photographs to allow people to experience the glory of the rainforests and understand their plight. The exhibition will open at Kew Gardens, London on October 3rd 2009.

Photo: March 20th 2009, Cristalino State Park, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso (Brasil). View of the rainforest canopy from the ground in in Cristalino State Park, Brazil. – Daniel Beltrá

The Proclaimers Support Charity Walkers

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Scottish duo The Proclaimers – famous for tunes such as I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – are showing their support – in more ways than one – for a major charity event this weekend by appearing on a bra.

The duo – comprised of Chris and Charlie Reid – have had their caricatures drawn onto both cups of the bra by cartoonist Malky McCormick. The bra will then be auctioned at the Edinburgh Moonwalk tomorrow night.

“We could never say no to helping a charity like this,“ said Chris. "Every family has been touched by cancer, so we were only happy to do something. Even though Malky has drawn us as caricatures we are flattered by out portrayal – we have seen the drawings he has done of other people!”

The Edinburgh Moonwalk is part of a series of walks being held around Britain to raise money for breast cancer research. Organized by a charity called Walk The Walk, the walks feature men and women walking wearing bras and has to date raised in excess of £48 million for vital breast cancer causes. Launched in 1996 and with a patron in the form of Prince Charles, the charity donates its proceeds to Breakthrough Breast Cancer and other organizations.

Tomorrow’s Edinburgh Moonwalk will see 10,000 people pound the streets of the Scottish capital in their decorated bras to raise money for the cause.

“It’s a shame we can’t do the walk,“ said Charlie Reid. "I am very interested in doing it in the future – possibly next year.”

To find out more about the Moonwalks, visit the official Walk The Walk website.

Prince Charles’ Rainforest Videos, Stage 2

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Last month, Prince Charles launched a “protect the rainforest” online video that included a few words from various celebrities that support the cause. Last week Prince Charles launched two more videos: one that includes a few words from various corporate leaders, and an application where anyone can make his own video to support the cause.

This is an effort to build an online community to demand that the protection of the rainforest be on the agenda at the Copenhagen climate discussions at the end of this year. The corporate clip has an impressive line up of supporters for the Prince’s Rainforest Project, such as the CEO of Google, the Chief Executive of McDonalds UK, the CEO of Sony, “computer guy” Michael Dell, the TIMES editor, and corporate leaders of the Financial Times, NIKE and Yahoo.

At the Rainforests SOS website, Charles explains that rainforests not only help keep the climate cool, absorb CO2 emissions and provide oxygen and rainfall, but their destruction releases the carbon that the trees have been storing back into the atmosphere at a rate higher than the total worldwide emissions of transport.

It is his belief that, “Unless we protect the rainforest, we will most certainly lose the battle against catastrophic climate change.”

The real star of the films is a digital frog, which can be included in the “create your own frog message” application. But unlike the traditional frog/prince relationship – or in Richard Branson’s case, unlike the turn-frog-into-beautiful-woman kiss – this frog is symbolizing the rainforest and its preservation.

“Saving the rainforest can help save us all,” says Charles, “before it really is too late.”

Prince Harry Plays Charity Polo In New York

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Aime Pingi

Prince Harry arrived last Friday, May 29th, in the United States of America. For his first journey in New York, Harry chained together visits, inaugurations and matches of polo, and tried to represent to best the British royal family.

Hardly arrived at the Big Apple, Prince Harry – third in the order of succession to the throne – began with a visit to the site of the World Trade Center, destroyed by the events of September 11th, 2001. The Prince then inaugurated with emotion the British Garden of Manhattan – dedicated to 67 British victims of these attacks – by planting symbolically a magnolia within the framework of the campaign of Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York, aiming to make the city more green.

Later, Prince Harry – who is presently undertaking a pilot’s training course in the army after having served in the land forces in Afghanistan – was keen to visit a health center for war veterans to speak to them.

On Saturday, the son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana showed his support for an association helping discriminated young people by attending a class of mathematics of Harlem: "Who is the best in the class? " he said “I was always the worst!”

A royal obstacle race was then organized, featuring Prince Harry and Prince Seesio of Lesotho, both founders of Sentebale, a charity helping the poor children of Africa. Although he came second in that race, Harry was able to catch up a little later during the day, during a match of polo at Governor Island to raise funds for “Sentebale”.

“Prince Seesio and I both lost our mothers when we were very young,” Harry said before the match. “We set up Sentebale in their memory, and because my mother loved this city, it makes this occasion all the more poignant for me.”

The team led by the brother of Prince William competed against that of the Argentine model Nachos Figueras. Celebrities who attended the match included actress Chloë Sevigny, LL Cool J, dressmaker Marc Jacob and Madonna.

Harry’s team, named after the charity, proceeded to defeat the opposing Black Watch team 6-5. Harry assisted on the winning goal in the last seconds, drawing the biggest cheer of the afternoon. It was the second and final day of Harry’s first official visit to the United States.

Not tired for all that, Harry ended his day by a visit to the “Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum of Manhattan,” where he was able to admire the cockpit of the former Concorde of the British company British Airways, as well as air transport dating the Second World War.

Prince Charles Supports Combat Stress Organization

Thu, 14 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles joined former servicemen to acknowledge the achievements of a charity which helps psychologically-scarred military veterans rebuild their lives.

The Prince attended a service of commemoration, celebration and rededication at Westminster Abby with the Duchess of Cornwall to mark the 90th anniversary of the charitable organization Combat Stress.

Combat Stress was set up over 80 years ago, and has provided over 75,000 veterans of war with a unique lifeline. Currently, they take on 700 new veterans every year, the youngest in their early twenties, the oldest in their nineties. They provide stays at treatment facilities, psychiatric support, and also occupational therapy to help veterans rebuild their lives and provide a break for their families.

During the service the work of the charity was celebrated through hymns, prayers and readings.

“There are too many people who have served in our Armed Forces, or who at present offer service in this way, who are nursing hidden wounds today and who have not yet asked for help,“ said Right Rev David Conner, Dean of Windsor and Bishop to the Armed Forces. “There will be many many more. The hidden wounds they suffer are wounds suffered in our name and for our benefit – too easily we can ask too much of them.”

Paul Weller To Play Charity Concert For The Rainforests

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former frontman of The Jam, Paul Weller, is to play a special gig in support of Prince Charles’ The Prince’s Rainforests Project.

The concert, to take place on July 10, will be held at Cornwall’s Eden Project in the UK. Designed as an environmental education facility, the Eden Project consists of a number of domes that house plant species from around the world, each dome emulating a natural biome. The Prince’s Rainforests Project aims to encourage collective action in the fight against climate change.

Other acts playing at the Eden Project this year include Oasis, Kasabian, Razorlight and The Kooks. More information and tickets can be found at the official Eden Sessions website.

Prince Charles Joins Kermit And Friends For The Rainforests

Wed, 06 May 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles has launched a new online video to promote the protection of rainforests, and he has called on some of his celebrity friends to help.

The 90-second video features appearances by Harrison Ford, Prince William and Prince Harry, Robin Williams, Daniel Craig, Kermit The Frog, Joss Stone, footballer Pelé and the Dalai Lama. Each star in the film talks of their support for the halting of tropical rainforest deforestation, and is joined on-camera by an animated Argentinean Horned Frog, a symbol of the rainforest.

“One of the Internet’s strengths is that it can enable diverse communities to come together to ensure that everybody’s views and actions can really be made to count,” Prince Charles said in a webcast to launch the video. “Our aim, with your help, is to build an online community to call, from the bottom up, for urgent action to protect the rainforests, without which we will most certainly lose the battle against catastrophic climate change.”

The video was organized by the Prince’s Rainforest Project, an organization established in 2007 to promote awareness tropical deforestation. To view the film, visit the Rainforests SOS website.

Idris Elba Becomes Anit-Crime Ambassador

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Idris Elba is giving back to the British charity that helped kick start his acting career by becoming an anti-crime ambassador for the organisation.

The star of The Wire has agreed to become an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, the youth-focused organization that he credits for launching his career after he won a $2,175 grant as a teenager, which paid for his place at the National Youth Music Theatre.

“The underlying issues of The Wire are not a million miles from what British kids are dealing with today,” he said. “The show is recognised for its realistic portrayal of urban life where kids hang around on corners with nothing to do. They are hand-picked by gangsters that offer them quick money for dirty jobs – this is very similar to the gang and drug culture emerging in some of the U.K.’s biggest cities.”

The Prince’s Trust was set up by Prince Charles in 1976 to offer support to disadvantaged young people by training, mentoring and financial assistance to help them achieve their potential.

Prince Charles Launches Charity For The Squirrels

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Royal Prince Charles has helped launch a new charity in the UK dedicated to highlighting the problem of Britain’s dwindling red squirrel population.

The Red Squirrel Survival Trust was launched in Cumbria to help protect the species, which is native to the UK and is now under threat from the growing number of grey squirrels that have come into the country from America.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Prince said: “I cannot think of a better mascot for our country than the red squirrel. Perhaps that might make people realise what it is that they are about to lose. The terrifying reality is that, within a decade, if we cannot work together to bring in the necessary funding for the task which needs to be done, the red squirrel could be totally extinct across the UK. The plight of the red squirrel and the honeybee too is yet another example of man’s short-sightedness in an increasingly throwaway society. The future of both species is a crucial test of just how serious we are about sustainability.”

To learn more about this charity and how you can support it, visit their website.

Stars Come Out For Prince's Trust Spring Ball

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The annual Prince’s Trust Spring Ball was held in the UK last night, March 5, and attracted a plethora of stars who wanted to show their support for the charity.

Held at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham, the event raised more than £90,000 for the Prince’s Trust, a charity set up by Prince Charles in 1976 to offer support to disadvantaged youth through training, mentoring and financial assistance.

The evening featured performances by singer Will Young and was attended by stars such as Jerry Hall, Erin O’Connor and Tara Palmer Tomkinson. The crowd was entertained by Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone from Strictly Come Dancing – who danced their amazing Argentine Tango – and enjoyed delicious cocktails and a three-course gourmet meal in the surroundings of magnificent Swarovski crystals.

Also at the event were British stars and Prince’s Trust ambassadors Vernon Kay and Tess Daly.

“It gives young people another chance, those who have been dealt a dodgy hand of cards from being abused as a child, drug addiction, for example, the Prince’s Trust makes them feel that they’re not an anomaly,“ said Kay. “Nights like this are how the trust gets its money. These things don’t come cheap, especially in this day and age. Apparently there’s a credit crunch but people are still giving.”

Camilla Opens Osteoporosis Extension

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall has been busy attending charity events lately, and this week has been no different. The wife of Prince Charles was in Bath in the UK to open a new extension to the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) headquarters on Thursday.

Braving the heavy snow that has fallen over much of England, the Duchess also presented the inaugural Duchess of Cornwall award, an accolade that recognizes individuals for their outstanding contribution to the field of osteoporosis and can be bestowed upon professionals or volunteers.

Osteoporosis is a fragile bone disease that affects half of women, and one in five men in the UK aged over fifty. The Duchess has been president of the NOS – the only national charity dedicated to improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition – since 2001.

“It is an enormous pleasure to unveil the new extension,“ she said as she opened the £1.6 million extension. “I have to pinch myself when I think of how far the charity has come over recent years. Eleven years ago when I first came here it was a small and struggling charity but with the wonderful work of staff, supporters and volunteers we have come so far. When my own mother tragically died a few years later my family and I were horrified by our ignorance of this silent disease. At that time we had a dream of raising awareness and helping the 1,000s of sufferers to live a better life. As we stand in this new room we can look back and take pride in the fact that a significant part of that dream has been realized.”

Queen Elizabeth Gets Busted At Children's Charity

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visited one of Britain’s best-known children’s charities last week to unveil a special sculpture.

The wife of Prince Charles attended the unveiling at the Barnardo’s headquarters in Barkingside, Essex, to reveal a bust of Queen Elizabeth and meet with several new celebrity ambassadors for the charity, including former Bond girl Rosamund Pike, Heather Small, Goodness Gracious Me star Nina Wadia, Lynda Bellingham and Andy Serkis’ wife, actress Lorraine Ashbourne.

The Duchess, who became president of the organization in December 2007, also toured the charity’s campus – which once housed 1,300 young girls in 64 cottages at Dr Barnardo’s Girls’ Village Home – and met with staff.

The organization was set up in 1867 by Thomas Barnardo to help children, young people and their families over the long term to overcome the most severe disadvantages – problems like abuse, homelessness and poverty – and to tackle the challenges of disability. By the time he died in 1905, the organization had grown to run 96 homes and care for over 8,000 children. Today, over 110,000 children benefit from the organization’s help.

Prince Charles To Expand Regeneration Trust

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles is set to expand the efforts of his Prince’s Regeneration Trust.

According to Britain’s The Telegraph, Charles has become frustrated by the UK Government’s neglect of British heritage, and is currently looking for a “new finance director to take forward its work on the preservation and re-use of buildings deemed to be at risk of decay.“

Charles established the Trust in 2006 to oversee the preservation of buildings, monuments, structures or sites in the United Kingdom of particular beauty or historical and architectural interest, as well as to promote urban or rural regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation.

“Charles has always been passionate about saving and regenerating our heritage which he felt was neglected even before the credit crunch, and he knows will be even more starved of resources now,” a senior courtier told The Telegraph. “Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the Trust has a lot of money to spend and Charles wants to ensure that every penny is spent wisely.”

“I am not prepared to sit back and see this great legacy of historic buildings needlessly squandered,” said Charles. “Especially as, with a little imagination, they can become real assets to their local communities, offering job opportunities and focus for local regeneration schemes.”

Camilla Paints For Charity

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, did more than create goodwill when she visited a cancer care center in London recently – she created artworks as well.

The wife of Prince Charles added the finishing touches to a nature collage made by patients at one of the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre’s – of which she is president – art therapy classes during a trip last week.

The unit, at Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith, west London, is one of six across the country that offers a free-of-charge domestic haven for cancer patients to receive emotional and psychological support in a homely and relaxed environment.

According to the Press Association, the Duchess of Cornwall became involved with the organization after a visit to the Edinburgh unit in June this year and will now carry out a formal role as the charity’s president.

Prince Charles Celebrates 60th By Giving Back

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Prince Charles didn’t feel that celebrating his 60th birthday last week was any reason to break from charity work, so he attended the launch of a new project run by his Prince’s Trust.

The one-week campaign, called Youth Week, aimed to overshadow negative gang-crime press by highlighting the positive contributions young people are making in society.

“Young people are more likely to do voluntary work than any other age group,” said Martina Milburn, chief executive of the Trust. “We need to celebrate our nation’s youth.”

Through thousands of Trust community projects, young people have contributed nearly £100 million to local areas across the UK.

During a Royal visit to the Trust last month, Queen Elizabeth said, “[Prince Philip and I] are both enormously proud to have been reminded here today of [Prince Charles’] personal contribution to this remarkable organization.”

Actress Emma Thompson is also impressed with the Prince’s work over the past decades. Unable to attend his birthday in person, Thompson gave interviews to publicly congratulate him. “He’s a remarkable guy who just spends his entire time working to make the world slightly less tricky to be in. Everything he said when he was a young man – that he was ridiculed for by the British press – is all coming to pass. He’s much loved by many, and especially by me.”

“For Prince Philip and me,” said the Queen at Prince Charles’ birthday celebration, “there can be no greater pleasure or comfort than to know that into his care are safely entrusted the guiding principles of public service and duty to others.”

Bryan Adams Plays Prince's Trust Gig

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bryan Adams has played at an auction gala event that raised over £1 million (US$1 million) for the Prince’s Trust.

The Prince’s Trust Invest in Futures Gala Dinner and Charity Auction was hosted by Ben Elton at Old Billingsgate, east London, over the weekend, and featured lots such as tea at The Ritz with Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, a flight with The Red Arrows, artworks by Prince Charles, a chance to meet Donatella Versace at Milan Fashion Week, and the opportunity to meet Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole during an X Factor taping.

“It is an honor for me to perform at such an incredible event which raises a huge amount of money for The Prince’s Trust,“ said Bryan Adams. “Support from the financial community is more important now than ever and The Prince’s Trust is giving young people the skills and confidence to get into work in this increasingly uncertain global climate.”

Prince Charles brushes up on first aid skills

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

As President of the British Red Cross, HRH The Prince of Wales is well aware of the value of knowing life-saving skills. And that’s why he recently requested a refresher first aid course.

Joe Mulligan, head of first aid, was only too happy to visit the Prince to deliver a ‘save a life’ course. Joe recalled: “He showed a great appetite and enthusiasm for the subject, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy freshening up his first aid skills.”

The Prince added: “I asked the British Red Cross to arrange for me to refresh my first aid skills because these simple skills can save lives.

“I was staggered to learn that each year in the UK three million people attend hospital with injuries that could have been helped by first aid. In an emergency, an unconscious person with a blocked airway can die within four minutes. In less time, we can all learn how to deal with such a situation.”

The Red Cross’ save a life course covers key adult life-saving skills and provides a quick introduction to basic first aid.

Find out more about the organisation’s courses here.

Comedians Are Most Amused For Prince Charles

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Robin Williams, John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson lead the line-up of comedic talent that will perform at “We Are Most Amused” next month. The night of comedy will help celebrate Prince Charles’ 60th birthday, as well as benefit the Prince’s Trust.

Founded by Prince Charles in 1976 (using his severance pay of £7,400 from the Navy), the Prince’s Trust exists to help the UK’s troubled youth through support, training and personal development. With skill development, self confidence and a completed education – and even money for a start up business – young people with hopeless outlooks are now heading toward self chosen goals and achieving their real potential.

“We try to do things differently, to cut through the bureaucracy and the red tape,” said the Prince. “And I believe that approach has paid off.”

It has for most of the youths that pass through the Trust’s doors. Of the 40,000 youths that the Trust supported last year, 73% moved into employment, education or training.

This achievement, though, comes at a high financial price, so the proceeds from We Are Most Amused will be most welcome. The good news is that the tickets for the November 12 show at the New Wimbledon Theatre sold out in one hour, even though the roster is as yet incomplete. But with icons like Williams, Cleese and Atkinson on the docket, there is little doubt as to the quality that both the stand-up and comedy sketch performances will deliver.

Royal Princes To Join Bikers In African Trek

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince William and Prince Harry are to take part in a grueling 8-day motorbike trek across South Africa later this month.

The Royals – who own their own motorcycles and have been riding for years on their father’s Highgrove estate – will join a group of 80 people in the 2008 Enduro Africa ride, an annual event to raise money for charity.

Each rider in the event has paid US$2,600 to take part, raising a total of US$521,000 for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, UNICEF, and Sentebale.

“The Princes are looking forward to the motorcycle ride that will raise money and the profile of Sentebale, a charity very close to their hearts, and two other major charities in southern Africa,” said a Royal spokesperson.

The 1,500 mile trek takes riders along South Africa’s wild and dramatic east cape, with riders traveling in groups of 10 during the day and camping together at night.

“We’re very honored to have the Princes, especially as they came to us,“ said a spokesperson for Enduro Africa. “We’re looking forward to riding with them and, as they are both in the Armed Forces, I’m sure they will have the grit to get through because it’s not easy. There are no road signs and it’s not like riding anywhere in the UK so they will need a guide. They will go through game reserves, tribal areas and wild areas.”

More information about the ride can be found at the Enduro Africa website. Registrations for next year’s ride are now open.

Look To The Stars News: Prince Charles

Roger Moore Steps Up Battle Against Foie Gras

Related past articles

Prince Charles Thanks Celebrities For Charity Support

Related past articles

Mark Knopfler To Play For Prince's Trust

Related past articles

Prince Charles Wears The Badge Of Heroes

Related past articles

Prince Charles Talks Fishing Practices

Related past articles

Stars Come Out For Charity Book Launch In London

Related past articles

Celebrities Inspired By Music For Charity

Related past articles

The Prince’s Rainforest Project Shows Glory and Destruction

Related past articles

The Proclaimers Support Charity Walkers

Related past articles

Prince Charles’ Rainforest Videos, Stage 2

Related past articles

Prince Harry Plays Charity Polo In New York

Related past articles

Prince Charles Supports Combat Stress Organization

Related past articles

Paul Weller To Play Charity Concert For The Rainforests

Related past articles

Prince Charles Joins Kermit And Friends For The Rainforests

Related past articles

Idris Elba Becomes Anit-Crime Ambassador

Related past articles

Prince Charles Launches Charity For The Squirrels

Related past articles

Stars Come Out For Prince's Trust Spring Ball

Related past articles

Camilla Opens Osteoporosis Extension

Related past articles

Queen Elizabeth Gets Busted At Children's Charity

Related past articles

Prince Charles To Expand Regeneration Trust

Related past articles

Camilla Paints For Charity

Related past articles

Prince Charles Celebrates 60th By Giving Back

Related past articles

Bryan Adams Plays Prince's Trust Gig

Related past articles

Prince Charles brushes up on first aid skills

Related past articles

Comedians Are Most Amused For Prince Charles

Related past articles

Royal Princes To Join Bikers In African Trek

Related past articles