King Charles and Princess Anne make rare joint appearance

King Charles and Princess Anne made a rare joint appearance to honour the unsung heroes of the UK’s criminal justice system.

The royal siblings hosted a special reception at St James’s Palace on Tuesday, March 25, celebrating winners of the 40th Annual Butler Trust Awards.

The prestigious event recognises outstanding individuals working in prisons, probation, and youth justice.

Princess Anne, who has been Patron of The Butler Trust since its founding in 1985, also presented 10 awards and 20 commendations during the ceremony.

The organisation, named after former Home Secretary Richard Austin Butler, highlights exceptional contributions to rehabilitation and justice reform.

Among those honoured was probation officer Humphrey Agbukor, praised for his unwavering dedication to rehabilitation. Youth Justice Worker Gerry Bowman was also recognised for his professionalism and impact on young offenders. 

Other recipients included Chloe Causier-Bayliss, Daniel Diamond, Kay Turner, Ian Harvey, Sharon Jenkins, Barbara Randall, and Harjit Singh Gill, all commended for their outstanding service.

The highest honour of the evening — the Princess Royal's Prize for Outstanding Achievement — went to Jonathan Firth, an officer at HMP Swaleside with over 30 years of service.

His skill and compassion in working with some of the system’s most challenging individuals earned him the surprise accolade, which is kept secret until the end of the ceremony.

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