Kanya King, the founder of the MOBO Awards and a leading figure in the British music industry, has died at the age of 57 following a battle with colon cancer.

Her death was confirmed by the MOBO Organisation, ending a career that spanned nearly three decades and helped establish one of the UK’s most recognised music awards platforms.

King launched the MOBO Awards, short for Music of Black Origin, in 1996 to recognise artists working across genres including R&B, hip hop, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, Afrobeats and grime. The awards were created to highlight talent that was often underrepresented at major music ceremonies at the time.

Kanya King – Instagram

Born in Kilburn, north-west London, to a Ghanaian father and Irish mother, King faced significant challenges when bringing the idea to life. She remortgaged her home to help fund the first MOBO Awards ceremony after struggling to secure industry backing. The inaugural event went on to receive national television coverage and established the awards as a new fixture on the UK music calendar.

Over the years, the MOBO Awards became an important platform for artists including Stormzy, Dave, Craig David and Little Simz. The ceremony also reflected the growing popularity of genres such as grime and Afrobeats, helping to bring wider attention to artists working within those genres.

Kanya King – Instagram

King’s contribution to music and culture was recognised in 2018 when she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). She was also involved in programmes aimed at supporting emerging talent and creating opportunities for young people interested in careers within the music industry.

In 2024, King revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Following her diagnosis, she spoke publicly about the disease and encouraged people to seek medical advice if they noticed potential symptoms.

Kanya King – Instagram

Despite her health challenges, King remained involved with the MOBO Organisation and continued to support its activities. She also remained engaged in discussions surrounding the awards’ future and upcoming milestones.

Following news of her death, tributes were shared by artists, broadcasters and industry figures who acknowledged her role in creating opportunities for Black music and talent within the UK. Actor and musician Idris Elba was among those who paid tribute to her contributions.

King is survived by her family and leaves behind an organisation that has played a significant role in recognising and celebrating Black music in the United Kingdom for nearly 30 years.

Kate Middleton has worn Rodarte for the first time at a royal engagement linked to a cause that has become especially significant in recent years.

The Princess of Wales attended a reception at St James’s Palace marking the 125th anniversary of Cancer Research UK. King Charles III and Queen Camilla also attended the event, which recognised the contributions of researchers, clinicians, volunteers and supporters to cancer research and treatment.

The occasion held added significance as both Kate and King Charles have publicly shared their experiences with cancer in recent years.

Photo – Instagram

For the engagement, Kate wore a red Rodarte midi dress featuring a heart print, structured shoulders and contrasting white detailing at the collar and cuffs. The appearance marked the first known occasion on which she has worn the American fashion label in a public royal capacity.

The choice attracted attention because Rodarte is not among the designers most frequently associated with the Princess of Wales. Throughout the years, Kate has often favoured British fashion houses for major public appearances, making this a notable addition to her wardrobe.

Photo – Instagram

She completed the look with coordinated red accessories, including a clutch and matching pumps, along with ruby and diamond jewellery. Several publications noted the jewellery’s symbolic associations with strength and resilience, themes linked to the event’s focus on cancer research and support.

While the outfit drew attention across fashion publications, the reception remained focused on the work of Cancer Research UK. The event highlighted the organisation’s contribution to cancer treatment, prevention and scientific research, while recognising the researchers, staff and volunteers involved in its work.

Photo – Instagram

The appearance also marked a rare introduction of a new designer into Kate’s public wardrobe. While the outfit generated discussion among royal style watchers, it also brought additional attention to an event dedicated to advancing cancer research and supporting those affected by the disease.

For Rodarte, the engagement represented its first known appearance in Kate’s public wardrobe. For the Princess of Wales, it was an appearance tied to an event whose significance extended well beyond fashion.

Kate Middleton spoke about the challenges of raising children during a visit to East London this week, where she launched a new initiative focused on early childhood development.
The Princess of Wales visited the University of East London to introduce Foundations for Life: A Guide to Social and Emotional Development, a programme from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood aimed at improving support for young children’s emotional wellbeing. During discussions with families and educators, Kate spoke about the difficulty many parents face when trying to build reliable support systems.

Photo – Instagram

While speaking with a mother at the event, she acknowledged how difficult it can be to “find that village” while raising children, adding that creating support networks often requires “energy and effort”. Her comments were widely shared following the engagement.
The initiative is designed to make information on child development more accessible through schools, healthcare services and community organisations.
The visit also reflected Kate’s continuing focus on early childhood development in her public work. Since launching the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021, she has focused on emotional wellbeing, parent-child relationships and the impact early experiences can have on long-term development.

Photo – Instagram

During the engagement, Kate met researchers, university staff, students and families involved in child development studies. She also observed sessions examining how children respond emotionally to different interactions with parents and caregivers, including research monitoring stress responses and brain activity in early learning environments.
A separate interaction during the visit was also widely shared online when a young child unexpectedly ran toward the Princess and hugged her. Kate smiled and gently guided the child before continuing the engagement.

Photo – Instagram

For the visit, Kate wore a camel-toned suit paired with jewellery featuring the initials of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Several fashion and royal publications noted the personal detail following the appearance.
The East London engagement comes as the Princess of Wales continues returning to public duties following her recovery from cancer treatment. Kensington Palace has also confirmed that she will travel to Italy next week for a visit connected to early childhood education research.