King Charles hosted a garden party on his own today as he tried his hand at DJing alongside Sir Idris Elba and Christian St Louis during a special celebration at Buckingham Palace. The King rubbed shoulders with several famous faces attending an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust youth charity, which was founded in 1976.

Party guests included celebrity ambassadors for the Trust, such as broadcasters Ant and Dec and Holly Willoughby, actors Dame Helen Mirren and Damian Lewis, and Sir Idris, an alumnus of the charity. After spending more than an hour greeting guests, including some 50 young people and alumni who have been supported by the charity, Charles walked up the garden steps in the pouring rain, holding an umbrella, and paused to speak to Christian St Louis and Sir Idris, who were standing by some DJ decks.

St Louis, 22, from Middleton in Greater Manchester, took a DJing course through the Trust and performed at the party whilst guests danced through the downpour, clutching umbrellas.

Asked what he spoke about with the King, Sir Idris said: “Well, this morning we had an amazing time at the National Youth Music Theatre and I was telling him that it just took me back to when I first did that, and I was laughing about that, and he said he was going to DJ today, and he did.”

“Well he pressed play and as a DJ I know that’s the hardest part,” the 53-year-old actor joked.

Asked whether he thought Charles had enjoyed the music being played, which was electronic and fast-paced, Sir Idris laughed and said: “Well, he didn’t stick around, let’s put it that way.”

Earlier, the King, wearing a grey suit, blue tie and a red Kings Trust pin on his lapel, had arrived at the party on the palace steps and descended after the band played the national anthem.

He was then presented with a yearbook documenting stories from staff, volunteers and beneficiaries of the Trust by Ant and Dec.

Thursday’s guests, some wearing thick coats and holding umbrellas, smiled and chatted excitedly as they mingled and craned to get photos of the King despite the gloomy weather.

Former England men’s football coach Sir Gareth Southgate and musician and presenter Myleene Klass were also present.

More than 4,000 guests enjoyed refreshments including mini scones with blackcurrant jam and clotted cream, chocolate tiffin and elderflower, trout and lemon cream cheese mini bagels.

During a typical summer gathering, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed by attendees.