Phil Collins, using crutches, attended the King's Trust anniversary party amid his numerous health challenges.Show Caption
Phil Collins is making a rare public appearance amid his ongoing health challenges.The legendary Genesis drummer, 75, had a recent outing at Buckingham Palace for the 50th anniversary party of King Charles III's nonprofit the King's Trust, which holds a special significance for the musician as he is a former trustee and was the first official ambassador, Collins' wife Jill wrote on Instagram Friday, May 15.Jill Collins – who shared photos from the Royal Tea Tent featuring her and her singer husband, seen using crutches, as well as Rod Stewart and his wife, Penny Lancaster – called it a "truly memorable afternoon." She wrote that in addition to the joy of running into "old" friends, the couple "were very proud and honored to be there and have a few private moments with King Charles who seemed genuinely pleased to see Phil."She added that the couple will host an auction from their personal archives this fall in London to benefit the king's charity.The "In the Air Tonight" singer opened up in January about having a 24-hour live-in nurse amid his "converging" medical issues, including complications from his 2007 spinal injury, which caused damage to vertebrae in his upper neck and subsequent nerve damage. He also had five knee surgeries and has "messed up" kidneys after years of heavy drinking and a bout with COVID-19 while in the hospital."I guess I had too much of it. I was never drunk, although I fell over a couple of times. But it is just one of those things that happened, and it all caught up with me, and I spent months in hospital," the British singer said on the BBC's "Eras" podcast series. "It's just been a difficult, interesting, frustrating last few years. But it's all right now."Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
