Amal and George Clooney proved themselves charity gala king and queen as well as Hollywood royalty at the weekend's The Albies ceremony. On Friday, London's Natural History Museum hosted the likes of Dame Emma Thompson, Meryl Streep and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for a truly star-studded awards event honouring the most lauded of campaigners.
The Albies were created by the Clooneys “to shine a protective spotlight on brave individuals and groups from around the globe who, at great personal risk, have devoted their lives to fighting for justice”, as per the bio on the organisation's website. It is named after anti-apartheid hero Justice Albie Sachs, who received a Lifetime Achievement in Pursuit of Justice award at the charity’s inaugural event back in 2022.
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Sachs was also in attendance on Friday, joined by GLAMOUR's Global Editorial Director and Editor-In-Chief Sam Barry, Ted Lasso actor Hannah Waddingham, Meg Ryan, Isla Fisher, Richard E Grant, Dominic West, Gwendoline Christie and Felicity Jones. Fashion designer Stella McCartney was also in attendance, as well as makeup mogul Charlotte Tilbury. Donatella Versace also attended – Versace and Tilbury were two of the night's key sponsors – bringing with her musician Arca, Big Little Lies star Shailene Woodley, Bianca Jagger and Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn.
The evening's key purpose was to "shine a protective spotlight on brave individuals and groups from around the globe who, at great personal risk, have devoted their lives to fighting for justice". The 2025 Albies honorees included gender equality advocate and philanthropist Melinda French Gates, Guatemalan journalist José Ruben Zamora, women’s rights activist and entrepreneur Fatou Baldeh, journalist – who wore an amazing emerald green Versace gown – Marty Baron and Ford Foundation president Darren Walker, who received a lifetime achievement award.
“At The Albies, the sacrifices and courageous commitments to justice and human rights take centre stage,” George and Amal, who are also co-Founders of the Clooney Foundation for Justice, have said. “This is a celebration of the individuals whose lives and careers have come to embody those values that form the cornerstone of our foundation’s global work.”
Graham Norton hosted the evening’s proceedings, while presenters included Thompson, Streep, Ahern and Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville. There were also performances from both John Legend and Brandi Carlile.
Previous awards ceremonies have been held at the New York Public Library, but this year London had the honour, partially because Amal is due to introduce a partnership at Oxford University focusing on using artificial intelligence to enhance access to justice and the advancement of international law.
Jacinda Ardern described the evening as “a moment in time to be able to acknowledge the work that often goes on quietly, but is incredibly important. Some of the people being honoured tonight, they’ve been working for decades.”
The Albies cover multiple award categories, including a justice for women award – Iranian journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi were previous recipients.
The Clooney Foundation for Justice provides free legal aid in defence of free speech and women’s rights, so we know that as well as throwing a five-star celebrity soirée, empowering women is at the centre of the Clooney mission.
