Crowned in one of the biggest ceremonial events in decades, Charles, dressed in a tight navy blue suit, welcomed the victors in a circular bow room at the back of the palace, overlooking the garden.

“It’s a dream come true,” said 21-year-old Faith Idowe, who flew in from Nigeria to receive the Prince’s Trust Global Achiever Award. He left school at the age of 15 to support his family and struggled to earn enough for their needs.

“Coming from Nigeria to (the) United Kingdom … I’m in the palace, I saw the king!”

The foundation was set up by Charles in the 1970s when he was a prince and counts British actor Idris Elba as one of its beneficiaries.

Ido was among 11 winners recognized at a ceremony at London’s Theater Royal on Tuesday for outstanding achievements in various categories including business, sustainability and women’s empowerment.

The reception at the palace attracted famous guests, including British TV and radio host Tyler West, who was even punched by the new monarch. He later told reporters he was glad Charles, 74, “passed the concussion test.”

The trust, which last year said it supported 50,000 young people in Britain and 30,000 worldwide, has expanded to more than two dozen countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Barbados.

“I’ve spoken to so many young people in this room and they’re all telling me how they got their start for the Prince’s Foundation,” Rodgers, who attended the charity’s 2020 gala dinner, told Reuters.

Another winner, Joanna Truett from Manchester, UK, said the foundation’s support through a self-development course had changed her and set her on a new path.

He was accompanied by British singer-songwriter Sam Ryder, who was runner-up in last year’s Eurovision Song Contest.