Stars join Prince Charles to pay tribute to youngsters helped by Prince’s Trust

Ant and Dec were among the celebrities who joined Prince 

Charles (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Stars of stage, screen and song joined Prince Charles to pay tribute to some remarkable young people who have overcome adversity to achieve success.
Charles presented seven awards celebrating young people who turned their lives around with the help of his Prince’s Trust. He joked with hosts Ant and Dec about their youthful looks, as well as about the pair’s pop single Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble.
‘They seem to have discovered the secret of eternal youth. I suspect it must be all that rhumbling they do.

‘Anyway, I hope they keep rhumbling on,’ he quipped.

Guests at the Oscars-style ceremony at London’s Leicester Square Odeon included trust ambassadors DJ Mark Ronson, The Wire star Idris Elba, Homeland actor Damian Lewis and actress Dame Helen Mirren.
Charles continued the jokes in his speech with a reference to Dame Helen’s current theatre role as the Queen in The Audience on the West End stage. ‘I have a feeling that Dame Helen Mirren should really be putting on a familiar wig in some West End theatre now,’ he said.
Speaking about how he feels about his charity and its annual awards ceremony, Charles said: ‘Each time it makes me feel prouder and prouder.’

Dame Helen Mirren and Damian Lewis were also in attendance (Picture: Getty)

Dame Helen was moved to tears by one award winner, Naomi Johnston, 27, from Edinburgh. Miss Johnston received the young ambassador of the year award. Dame Helen said: ‘All the young people here today are truly inspirational. Their remarkable stories have blown me away.’
Afsana Benozir, 20, from Tower Hamlets, London, was the young achiever of the year award and enjoyed a hug with Charles which prompted a standing ovation from the audience. She self-harmed and twice tried to kill herself after being abused aged six by a family friend.
She now plans to study medicine at university this year. Actor Damien Lewis presented her award and said: ‘Afsana’s story is truly remarkable. I’m honoured to have met her.’
The Prince’s Trust and Samsung Celebrate Success Awards recognise young people who have overcome challenges such as homelessness, drug addiction, unemployment and mental health issues.