The DJ reflected on how a £1,000 grant from The Prince’s Trust helped him buy his first DJ equipment at age 24.
Photo Credit: Carl Cox – Instagram
Carl Cox visited King Charles at Buckingham Palace on May 14th, 2026, as part of a special event celebrating the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust.
The British DJ shared the moment on social media, describing it as a “full circle moment.” Cox recalled receiving £1,000 from The Prince’s Trust at age 24, money he used to buy his first DJ equipment. At the time, he was deciding between earning £500 a week as a scaffolder or £60 a week as a self-employed DJ.
“I chose the music, and that was that,” Cox wrote.
The King’s Trust, formerly known as The Prince’s Trust, was founded by King Charles in 1976 to support young people with education, employment, and business opportunities. The Buckingham Palace event marked the organization’s 50th anniversary and welcomed supporters, volunteers, and former beneficiaries.
Cox has previously spoken about the role the organization played in his early career, saying the scheme helped him understand business as a self-employed person and gave him both funding and direction at a decisive moment in his life.
