Royal Recognition

The Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award was just one highlight of a King's Trust event honoring inspirational young people who have triumphed over adversity

- JACK ROYSTON

WHILE STILL A HIGH SCHOOL student in Kenya, Alice refused to live the life of a child bride," Amal Clooney tells a packed audience at London's Royal Festival Hall.

She is, together with husband George, the star guest at The King's Trust Awards and proudly presenting one of the winners.

This particular line, however, is not included in the media pack, nor was it divulged to the many journalists involved in reporting this event. Such is the human rights lawyer's knowledge of the winner she helped choose. And such is her passion for Alice's story.

The Kenyan was facing the prospect of life as a child bride after her father died when she was in her early teens, leaving her family with no bread winner. Alice saved herself by building her own craft business, making products using beads, while still a high school pupil in Form 2, which in Kenya is around 15 or 16 years old.

The King's Trust charity, founded by King Charles III, helped her learn to scale her business and pursue high-demand products, in time earning enough money to support her mother and siblings.

In honor of that achievement, Alice, 19, was given the Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award during the star-studded ceremony on June 26. "Amongst this year's incredible nominees, Alice's resilience, courage and entrepreneurial spirit really stood out for me," Clooney continued. "She turned this craft into a lifeline not only for herself, but also to support her whole family.