Lionel Richie Says King Charles' 'Sense of Humor' Shines Behind the Scenes: 'You Have No Idea' (Exclusive)
The judge has been involved with The King's Trust (originally launched as The Prince's Trust) since around 1985, providing youth with the tools they need to thrive
Richie says that the King is a "wonderful person who cares so much about people"
Lionel Richie is revealing what King Charles is like "as a friend."
Richie, 75, exclusively spoke to PEOPLE at The King's Trust 4th Annual Global Gala at Casa Cipriani in New York City on May 1, opening up about their relationship.
"People see him as a King, but what is he like as a friend? I will say a sense of humor — you have no idea," the American Idol judge, who co-hosted the evening, tells PEOPLE.
"He's a wonderful, wonderful person who cares so much about people. He has a lot of ideas about what needs to change, what needs to be about the world. You probably won't hear it all coming out of his mouth because of the way the world is and what he has to stay quiet on, but he's a wonderful person, very funny," Richie says. "And over the years, I hope you're kind of getting to where you all will know that sense of humor a lot, like I understand it."
Related: King Charles' Longstanding Charity Gets Upgrade to Be 'Relevant' for TikTok Generation
The "All Night Long" singer attended the gala with his girlfriend, Lisa Parigi, and has been involved with The King's Trust for over 15 years. The organization works to provide young people with jobs, education and training, and it offers programming in over 20 countries worldwide. King Charles launched the organization as The Prince's Trust in 1976 when he was the Prince of Wales, and the trust has helped over one million young people to date.
Richie teamed up with the charity around 1985 and has championed the cause since, becoming the First Global Ambassador and First Chairman of the Global Ambassador Group for The Prince's Trust in 2019.
King Charles acceded to the throne in September 2022, and the organization was officially rebranded as The King's Trust in October 2024, reflecting his new royal title.
Richie was a guest at the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey in May 2023 and performed at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle the following day. The starry concert was also headlined by Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli and British pop group Take That, with the performance attended by the newly crowned King and Queen, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and many more royal family members.
Related: Lionel Richie Says It's an 'Honor' to Perform at 'Wonderful' King Charles' Coronation (Exclusive)
Reflecting to PEOPLE at the King's Trust Global Gala, Richie says that his commitment to uplifting the next generation is what keeps him involved.
"We've taken care of one million kids and their dreams and their hopes and their desires to be something in the world that they didn't think was possible," the music legend says. "What I love to do is take kids that don't think so and make them believers in themselves and not only is it just me, but it's a bunch of mentors and wonderful people who are here tonight and around the world they show up for these kids because we have to give back, it's just as simple as that."
"God has been good to all of us, but at the same time there are a group of people and a group of kids who need some encouragement and so King Charles started it off and my job and Edward's job and all of us is to carry it on and so I'm here because of the kids,"
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Richie and Enninful co-hosted the fourth annual King's Trust Global Gala in N.Y.C., continuing a tradition from last year. Like Richie, the former British Vogue editor is also a Global Ambassador for the King's Trust.
The two posed for photos on the carpet at the event together with Charlotte Tilbury, whose namesake makeup label is a charitable partner of King Charles' charity.
Read the original article on People
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