Tears as Amal Clooney Honors Girl Who Rejected 'Child Bride' Path
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Amal Clooney praised the "resilience" of a Kenyan teenage girl whose business saved her from becoming a child bride after her father died.
The human rights lawyer and husband George Clooney were at the King's Trust Awards on Thursday at the Royal Festival Hall in London, where she presents an annual award named for her.
And this year's recipient of the Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award was brought to tears as she described her poignant journey.
Alice's father died when she was young, meaning her family needed money, but she was able, with the help of King Charles III's charity, to set up a business to support them.
Amal and George Clooney walk the red carpet at the King's Trust Awards, at the Royal Festival Hall in London on June 26, 2025.
Amal and George Clooney walk the red carpet at the King's Trust Awards, at the Royal Festival Hall in London on June 26, 2025.
Nicky"Amongst this year's incredible nominees, Alice's resilience, courage and entrepreneurial spirit really stood out for me," Amal Clooney told the audience as she presented the award. "While still a high school student in Kenya, Alice refused to live the life of a child bride and instead launched her own bead-making business. She turned this craft into a lifeline not only for herself but also to support her whole family.
"And she didn't stop there. Now an employer as well as an entrepreneur, she trains other girls in the school holidays, so they too have the means to forge a livelihood of their own. With her bright spirit, Alice has shared her skills with those around her, bringing together young women in her community and inspiring them to carve out their own path."
The King's Trust International helped her learn the skills needed to run her business, generating enough money to support her family.
Alice, 19, wiped away tears and the crowd cheered with encouragement as she said: "I started my business when I was in form two.
"I lost my father when I was young. I support my family, my mum and my siblings. I use my business to pay my school fees and also to buy my siblings uniform. That's it."
The Clooneys were the biggest celebrities at the star-studded event, alongside famous names from Britain, including former England soccer manager Gareth Southgate and actor Joseph Fiennes.
On the red carpet, George Clooney told Newsweek: "My wife has an award named after her, so it's pretty fun to be here but, look, we get to draw attention to the young people who could use the attention for the hard work they're doing and that's always a good thing to do."
Amal Clooney told Newsweek: "They approached me to present this award and I'm able to play a part in selecting the recipient every year and it's always really inspiring stories and girls who've really made the most of the training and upskilling that the King's Trust International provide.
"So, I'm really honored to be able to partner on this work, so it will be a fun afternoon, I think."
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on Twitter at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Woman Buys Box of Tennis Balls for 'Obsessed' Dog—Backfires Spectacularly
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thinking her tennis ball-obsessed dog would be thrilled with an endless supply, one owner learned the hard way that sometimes less is more. Owner Mackenzie's chocolate Labrador cannot get enough of playing with tennis balls. While many dogs love playing with any ball, as the chase and catch mimics their hunting instincts, the color and texture of a tennis ball specifically capture a canine's attention, according to Rover. They see the color better, and the fuzziness feels good in their mouths. Mackenzie told Newsweek via TikTok that she found a box at a local thrift store filled with nothing but tennis balls, and immediately thought this giant box would last longer. Plus, with the store selling her the entire box for half off, it was a no-brainer to purchase. "We have two dogs and go through a lot of tennis balls because the dogs lose them when we're out," she said. "Our other dog likes to tear them apart, so I'm constantly buying new ones." She expected her dogs to love the endless supply; however, her July 18 TikTok video posted to her account @mackshaneen showed the Labrador not reacting as a tennis-ball "obsessed" canine would. Screenshots from a July 18 TikTok video of a chocolate Labrador running away from the box of tennis balls her owner bought her. Screenshots from a July 18 TikTok video of a chocolate Labrador running away from the box of tennis balls her owner bought her. @mackshaneen/TikTok In the clip, her dog stood by her side, tail wagging in anticipation of discovering what items were in the box. Mackenzie hyped it up, asking her dog if she was ready. Then, all at once, she tipped the box over and let the tennis balls go flying all over the floor. Mackenzie believed the endless supply would've made her dog jump for joy, but instead, the dog took off running. Her paws slipped on the floor, but that didn't stop her from continuing out the door. Thankfully, once the tennis balls stopped bouncing off the floor, Mackenzie said her dog turned a corner, embracing her favorite toy with open paws. Tennis Ball Safety While tennis balls are generally safe toys for canines, owners should be cautious about potential hazards. Rover stressed that dogs might try to swallow the fuzzies from the tennis ball, or even the entire ball, which can lead to choking or stomach problems. The fuzzy covering can also wear down your dog's teeth over time. To keep them safe, always supervise your canine during playtime. Find the right size ball—easy to carry and pick up—that your dog will not swallow. Toss out any worn-out or torn balls. Be sure to teach your dog the "drop it" command, as it comes in handy any time you need to take it away. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Kamala Harris' New Book Gets Brutal Reception
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The announcement by Kamala Harris, former vice president, that she is publishing a book about her failed 2024 presidential campaign, titled 107 Days, with reference to the period she spent vying with Donald Trump, has been panned by conservative critics. Newsweek contacted Harris for comment on Friday via email outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters Harris became the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee in August after Joe Biden dropped out of the race amid concern within his party over the then-president's age and cognitive state. However, Harris went on to lose the 2024 presidential election, picking up 226 Electoral College votes against 312 for Trump. On Wednesday, Harris announced she won't run to be governor of California in 2026, sparking speculation she could be considering a second White House bid in 2028. What To Know Harris announced she has written on a book about the 2024 presidential campaign, to be published by Simon & Schuster and titled 107 Days, on Thursday in a post on her X account. The former vice president said: "Since leaving office, I've spent a lot of time reflecting on those days and with candor and reflection, I've written a behind-the-scenes account of that journey." What the world saw on the campaign trail was only part of the story. My new book is a behind-the-scenes look at my experience leading the shortest presidential campaign in modern history. 107 Days is out on September 23. I can't wait for you to read it: — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 31, 2025 The news received a mixed reaction online, with conservatives in particular highly critical, though some commentators did say they were looking forward to reading it. During an appearance on CNN's The Source With Kaitlan Collins, the network's senior reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere said: "And there's going to be a book tour and one of the things that I talk to people who have been dealing with it with her is that she really struggles with what she is going to say about Joe Biden." In an X post response to Harris, White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson said: "Writing a memoir about being a loser is a choice." Writing for The New York Post, columnist Kirsten Fleming said Harris's book would be a "diary of defeat," adding: "Anything written on her ill-fated attempt to win the White House should be a grim autopsy on a spectacularly bad campaign with a historically terrible candidate." The cover for Kamala Harris' upcoming book '107 Days' (left) and Harris speaking at the State of the People POWER Tour opening ceremony on June 6, 2025 in Los Angeles, California (right). The cover for Kamala Harris' upcoming book '107 Days' (left) and Harris speaking at the State of the People POWER Tour opening ceremony on June 6, 2025 in Los Angeles, California (right). Mario Tama/Simon & Schuster/Getty Stephen Miller, the current U.S. Homeland Security adviser, wrote on X: "What is Kamala Harris' book even going to be about? All the interviews she refused to do? Why she chose Governor Jazz Hands over the Jewish guy? 4 chapters on her endorsement from Dick Cheney?" Harris picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate over Josh Shapiro, the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania. On popular Fox News show The Five, presenter Lisa Kennedy said: "I argue the only book that's worth reading is if she's actually honest about the enemies she will claim tanked her chances." Former Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr. agreed: "If she's able to get a lot of book sales hurray and good for her, but I hope to your point she honestly confronts some of the things we all saw happening in that campaign, and if it does nothing more, it will give the next nominee on the Democratic side some lessons about what he or she should do and mainly what they should not do." However, conservative commentator Jesse Watters was more positive, suggesting the book could push Harris toward a 2028 White House run. He said: "In October/September the book publishes … and then she does the book tour and the tour reconnects her with the American people, the crowds, the donors and kind of launches her toward the next year's midterms and then she'll campaign for people and she'll raise money for them and she hopes the Democrats win the midterms and that kind of sets her up." On his popular The Breakfast Club podcast, Charlamagne tha God, real name Lenard McKelvey, said: "I don't know if she should run again, but I'd definitely like to see her write a book, I definitely would like to see her start a podcast and just build a real connection with people." What People Are Saying Simon & Schuster Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Karp said: "107 DAYS captures the drama of running for president better than just about anything I've read. It's one of the best works of political nonfiction Simon & Schuster has ever published. It's an eyewitness contribution to history and an extraordinary story." Senior Vice President and Publisher of 37 Ink Dawn Davis said: "There is so much to be gleaned from these pages—to read the book is to be a fly on the wall as critical decisions were made and key team members tapped, all in such a dramatic moment in our history, all in just 107 days." Speaking to CNN's Kaitlan Collins about Harris in 2024, David Axelrod, formerly Barack Obama's chief campaign strategist, said: "It's clear that you read her statement, that she is setting herself up to run." Appearing on MSNBC Susan Page, the Washington D.C. bureau chief for USA Today, said: "Democrats historically have not been interested in nominating again someone who ran, got the nomination and failed." What Happens Next Simon & Schuster said that Harris's book is scheduled for publication on September 23, 2025.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Rescue Dog Obsessed With Laundry Baskets Wins Pet of the Week
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A week of pet videos carried us into a new month, which just so happens to be National Dog Month. And what better way to honor these furry companions than by highlighting pets from our readers? These dogs, while sometimes getting into trouble, bring a smile to their owners' face daily. They are a crucial piece to their family tree. If you wish to feature your pet in Newsweek's Pet of the Week, follow the instructions at the end of this article to get involved. Winner Photos of Laina resting in a basket; and looking up at the camera through a trolley. Photos of Laina resting in a basket; and looking up at the camera through a trolley. Patti Generale Laina, a rescue hound, instantly captured our hearts with her silly habits that helped brighten her owner's day, earning her spot as this week's winner. Owner Patti Generale told Newsweek via email that Laina is obsessed with laundry baskets. There is no rhyme or reason for it, but you can almost always find her sitting in one. Otherwise, you might see her cozying up next to you if you have food. She is a "very food-motivated" dog. Generale said: "She brought us a lot of joy." Finalists Photos of two 7-year-old Cavachons dogs at home. Photos of two 7-year-old Cavachons dogs at home. Vicki Peacock Our first finalist for this week comes from owner Vicki Peacock's two Cavachons—a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and the bichon frisé mix. Peacock originally wanted a boy dog, but after seeing one female pup, she couldn't resist getting her, she told Newsweek via email. Now, she has Harvey and Coco, who are from the same litter. These two 7-year-old dogs are sweet-natured; however, they tend to get into mischief. "Harvey is the leader and thinks he is much bigger than he is, but they are very sweet and gentle and love to make friends," Peacock said. Otherwise, they enjoy cuddle sessions and their quiet time. They have been nothing but great company for Peacock, who lives alone, making her laugh every day, she said. Photos of Daisy, a 1-year-old rottsky dog, resting at home. Photos of Daisy, a 1-year-old rottsky dog, resting at home. Karen Garcia Next up, we have a 1-year-old dog named Daisy, whom owner Karen Garcia likes to call a "Rotten Rottsky" due to her mischievous personality. This rottsky and Siberian husky mix came from an unexpected litter, Garcia told Newsweek. "She has a unique, dominating, mischievous personality that's humorous at times," she said. Photos of a 1-year-old French bulldog named Pierre playing outside. Photos of a 1-year-old French bulldog named Pierre playing outside. Jamie High Last, but not least, is a French bulldog named Pierre, whom the owner cannot thank enough for bringing joy into every day. The owner, Jamie High, told Newsweek that Pierre is nearing 1 year old. And as a pup, he is constantly getting into something. He can be a "handful," but that's what makes Pierre, Pierre. "He helped me through a very tough time in my life, and I'm grateful every day," High said. "I wouldn't change a thing about him!" If you think your pet could be next week's Newsweek "Pet of the Week," send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them, to life@ and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.
