HM The King hosts Youth Opportunity Summit at Buckingham Palace

Friday 5th June 2026

On Wednesday 3rd June, His Majesty The King welcomed young people, employers, Government officials and representatives of the youth sector to Buckingham Palace as he hosted a Youth Opportunity Summit at Buckingham Palace.

A key theme of the summit was the importance of supporting young people who face isolation, adversity, unemployment or insecure work. During the event, those present heard directly from young people about the positive impact that mentoring, guidance and practical support can have on their lives.

High-profile figures in attendance included King’s Trust Ambassadors Sir Gareth Southgate and Benedict Cumberbatch, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy.

We are also delighted that Madi Neville, one of our young leaders at 3rd Harrogate, had the opportunity to attend as a representative of the Youth United Foundation and The Boys’ Brigade.

Madi said: “Attending the Youth Opportunity Summit at Buckingham Palace was a truly unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Having the privilege of visiting Buckingham Palace and meeting His Majesty The King is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

“The summit also gave me the unique opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with people who share a passion for supporting and empowering young people. It was inspiring to speak with leaders and changemakers including The King’s Trust Ambassadors, Lisa Nandy, Richard Masters (Chief Executive of the Premier League), Jonathan Townsend (Chief Executive of The King’s Trust), and many other remarkable individuals dedicated to creating opportunities for young people.

“I was also honoured to meet Sir Gareth Southgate and Benedict Cumberbatch, whose commitment to youth development and positive change was truly inspiring.

“A huge thank you to The Boys’ Brigade and the Youth United Foundation for making this incredible opportunity possible. It was a day filled with inspiration, meaningful connections, and memories that will stay with me forever.”