Idris Elba meets with King Charles III to discuss UK youth violence: See photos
King Charles III met with actor Idris Elba to discuss youth violence and opportunity on Friday.
As an alum of The King's Trust, formerly The Prince's Trust, Elba, 51, has been involved in the charity's work to support youth. On Friday, the English actor and DJ spoke with the king about ongoing and new projects, including a new Creative Futures initiative, which will support opportunities and jobs for young people in the arts, Buckingham Palace announced.
The pair attended a roundtable discussion with youth and youth organizations on creating positive opportunities to address youth violence in the United Kingdom.
"The Wire" actor's Elba Hope Foundation has also worked with The Prince's Trust International on projects in Sierra Leone, according to the palace. As a teen, Elba received a ￡1,500 grant (about $1,944) from The Prince's Trust to attend the National Youth Music Theatre, a private theater school and charity in London.
Idris Elba, royal wedding DJ, says Duchess Meghan gave him specific playlist for reception
The Trust was founded by Charles, 75, in 1976, to assist disadvantaged U.K. youth with life skills and job and education opportunities. The King's Trust International, formerly The Prince's Trust International, has worked to address youth unemployment worldwide since 2015.
Elba, who became an officer of the order of the British Empire in 2016, founded his Elba Hope Foundation with his wife, Sabrina Elba. The foundation's mission is to promote economic and educational opportunities for youth in marginalized and underserved communities, especially Africans and the African Diaspora.
The "Luther" actor has been a vocal advocate for youth and has called for the British government to better address youth violence. In January, he called on the government to ban serrated knives and machetes in order to reduce knife crimes in Britain.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Idris Elba, King Charles meet about youth violence: Photos