Amal handed a new brief: bring dash of glamour to Prince’s Trust
Clooneys’ bond with Royal family grows as human rights lawyer becomes charity ambassador
SHE has been to one royal wedding, was instrumental in a lavish New York royal baby shower, and is a trusted friend to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Amal Clooney, who last week attended a Buckingham Palace dinner with her husband, the Hollywood actor George Clooney, is to extend her relationship with the Royal family through a new working partnership with the Prince of Wales, as she takes on a formal ambassadorial role with his charity, Prince’s Trust International.
Mrs Clooney, a human rights lawyer, is to launch her own prize, named the Amal Clooney Award, which will celebrate inspirational young women around the world.
The award was intended to “highlight the work of young women who have succeeded against the odds to make a lasting difference in their communities”, a spokesman said.
Actively seeking out unsung heroes for a prize, to be presented by Mrs Clooney in 2020, Prince’s Trust International is seeking applications from women aged 11 to 30 working in “anything from sustainable farming schemes to community projects in refugee camps, to work rebuilding war zones”.
Mrs Clooney said: “I am honoured to have been invited by Prince’s Trust International to participate in this global initiative celebrating young women who are change-makers in their communities.
“It is a privilege to be able to play a part in a project that will draw attention to incredible young women who are the future leaders of our world.”
She will become the latest in a line of celebrity ambassadors for the Prince’s Trust at home and overseas, including Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Michael Caine, Kylie Minogue, Benedict Cumberbatch, Joanna Lumley, Sir Ben Kingsley, Richard E Grant, Emma Bunton and Dame Diana Rigg.
Mr and Mrs Clooney have previously attended the Prince’s Trust fundraising dinners, including one in 2016.
Dame Martina Milburn, group chief executive of the Prince’s Trust, said: “We are delighted to be working with Amal to shine a light on [Mrs Clooney’s] passion and celebrate unsung female heroes everywhere.
“There is so much we can achieve together to help young people, and their communities, all over the world.”
On Tuesday, Mr and Mrs Clooney joined the Prince of Wales for a dinner celebrating the Prince’s Trust at Buckingham Palace, where the trio were photographed laughing together during the reception.
Asked about the event during a television interview yesterday, Mr Clooney joked: “Charles got really crazy and started dancing on the tables.”
He also spoke for a second time about the Duchess of Sussex, saying that scrutiny of her was “unfair”.
Last month, he suggested the Duchess was being “chased, pursued and vilified” just like her late mother-inlaw, Diana, Princess of Wales.
“I’ve seen it when the press can turn on you for ridiculous reasons and for almost nothing. It seemed to me to be a little unjust since she [the Duchess] hadn’t done anything except just happen to live her life,” the actor told Good Morning Britain.
“She’s a really kind, smart and intelligent young woman, and they’re a really wonderful, loving couple.”
‘It is a privilege to be able to play a part in drawing attention to young women who are our future leaders’