Let’s cut straight to the chase. Remember that scene at the end of The Crown Season 5, Episode 5, “The Way Ahead,” where Prince Charles (played by Dominic West) stuns onlookers with a spot of dubiously coordinated yet glorious break dancing? Well, it actually happened in real life. And to blow your minds even more, the footage still exists and is yours to view above in The Crown’s companion documentary series Beneath the Crown.

But why was Prince Charles attempting public displays of rhythm alongside youths on a club dance floor in the first place? As presenter Anita Rani explores in Beneath the Crown episode “The True Story of Prince Charles and the Prince’s Trust” (recorded before the passing of Queen Elizabeth II), it’s all to do with Charles’ Prince’s Trust charity — an organization he founded in 1976 shortly after a stint in the Royal Navy.

At that time, the nation was in turmoil due to spiraling unemployment. The future looked very bleak for the underprivileged youth of Britain, and the monarchy’s role in society became the subject of fierce debate. The Prince’s Trust hoped to do wonders for both.

Funded by the Prince’s Navy severance pay of £7,400 (the equivalent of around £40,000 in 2022), the Trust launched a number of community initiatives, such as grants for a fishing club and a bicycle repair business. It was all too low-key to make a significant improvement, especially as the economic turmoil continued into the early ’80s, leading to increased hardships and rioting.

A new approach was desperately needed — and this came in 1982 with the Prince’s Trust Rock Gala. Harnessing the power of celebrity to boost public awareness and donations, the Trust hosted a charity concert in July 1982 at London’s Dominion Theatre. It proved to be a huge success with performances from the likes of Kate Bush, Joan Armatrading and Phil Collins.

This innovative strategy paid off in many ways. By engaging with popular culture, especially alongside his then wife Diana, Prince Charles became more appealing to the masses. Greater revenue was brought in through similar star-studded events, enabling the Trust to launch bigger and better charitable schemes like the Enterprise program in 1983. This alone helped 1,000 young people start a business over three years.

An intensive 42-week course designed to enhance teamwork skills called the Prince of Wales Community Venture was swiftly launched. The Prince’s Youth Business Trust followed in 1986, which helped develop businesses in areas of high youth unemployment, particularly in inner cities. 

The Trust’s 10th anniversary in 1986 brought together rock royalty for a special fundraising concert at London’s Wembley Arena, with the likes of Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Tina Turner sharing the same stage. Two years later, Michael Jackson chose to endorse the Trust by donating a whopping $450,000 from his Bad tour.

Over the next decade, more than 15,000 businesses were set up or expanded with help from the Trust. In 1999, Queen Elizabeth granted the charity the prestigious Royal Charter in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. At a time when Prince Charles’ turbulent private life was increasingly under public scrutiny, the Trust proved to be a constant area of stability for the future monarch.

In the 46 years since its launch, the Prince’s Trust has helped an estimated 1 million British youngsters fulfill their potential and returned nearly £1.4 billion in value to society. Much of that success lies in the very hands-on involvement of Prince Charles (now King Charles) and his willingness to interact closely with people from very different backgrounds. Especially on the dance floor. Who knew that break dancing could break down barriers?