The King hailed award-winning actor Sir Idris Elba as “a real inspiration” as he and the Queen toured the Essex college the Luther star attended. Charles and Camilla toured a film studio named after the TV and film star, when he laughed off an offer of improvisation for the cameras. 

The royal couple visited Barking and Dagenham College in East London yesterday, as part of their away day to the area. Sir Idris attended the technical sixth form after winning a place at the National Youth Music Theatre with the help of the King’s Trust, which was the Prince’s Trust at the time.

He credits the grant as being a pivotal moment in his acting career, which saw him win the Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a mini-series for his role in BBC crime drama, Luther, in 2012.

The King and Queen were greeted by Idris after touring several classrooms, with Charles joking: "Fancy seeing you here."

Charles has met the actor several times before due to his work with the King’s Trust and the King will appear on the actor's new Netflix documentary, set for release in autumn 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust.

The production crew of at least five were at yesterday’s engagement, filming clips to include in the film.

The actor then took them round to see the Idris Elba Studio, where students were working on a virtual production with an LED media wall.

Sir Idris told the King: "It looks really real on the screen." He then joked: "We are hoping that we could do an improvisation together."

The King laughed it off, joking: "Oh yes of course." He then told students: "He's a real inspiration."

Idris then said: "I said to them 'who are you most nervous to meet, me or the King'? They said, ‘The King."

Charles said: "Well I'm very proud of you." Idris told him: "After I did the play that you helped me get into I came here."

During the visit, the actor introduced the King to his mum in a private meeting.

Idris told reporters afterwards that the grant he received from the Prince’s Trust was invaluable.

He said it was “more than the money” for him, as securing the grant “gave me the confidence to be like ‘I’m doing this’.”

While the King was filming for the documentary, the Queen visited the healthcare suite to see three specialist training facilities, including CPR manikins, clinical equipment, and advanced patient simulators. She later met hospitality students who were preparing French fruit tartlets.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, the King and Queen met a range of organisations providing support to their local community.