Photo: Apple
King Charles and Tim Cook launched Creative Labs
At Apple Music Hall in London the King met the first cohort of young people taking part in Apple's new workshops for creative careers. The King's Trust turns 50 this year.
On Wednesday King Charles visited Apple Music Hall at Battersea Power Station in London, where together with Apple's chairman Tim Cook he marked the launch of the Apple x King's Trust Creative Labs. Sir Elton John was also present.
"We were honored to host His Majesty King Charles III in London and celebrate Apple's work with the King's Trust", Tim Cook wrote afterwards. "We were thrilled the incomparable Sir Elton John joined us for a moment at Apple Music Hall."
Twenty places in the first cohort
Creative Labs is a new educational programme intended to help young people into creative careers. The first cohort consists of up to 20 participants aged 18 to 30, who go through specialised workshops and learn from Apple's own experts as they explore different career paths.
The first sessions this week focused on the music industry, and are held at the newly opened Apple Music Hall. Prophet Guillory, who heads Apple Music's work on artist services and tools, met the participants.
A partnership since 2019
Apple and The King's Trust have worked together since 2019. Through the Achieve programme the company has helped the organisation expand teaching in science, technology and the arts in schools, and they are now also working on resources to build young people's understanding of artificial intelligence.
"Together with Apple, we have already opened up valuable opportunities for thousands of young people across the UK", says Jonathan Townsend, UK chief executive of The King's Trust. He calls Creative Labs "an exciting new chapter in our partnership" that will help more young people develop the confidence and digital skills they need on the way to employment.
Alisha Johnson Wilder, who leads Apple's global community impact work, says the company sees education as a powerful force for equity and opportunity, and that with Creative Labs it is connecting the next generation of creators directly with Apple's experts and technology.
Fifty years
The King's Trust turns 50 in 2026. King Charles founded the organisation in 1976, while he was still Prince of Wales, and it has since helped 1.3 million young people in the United Kingdom.
This was not the King's first visit to the company. In December 2024 he called in at Apple's UK headquarters in London.