Phil Collins has made a rare public appearance amid ongoing health issues and his retirement four years ago.
The Genesis rocker, 75, visited Buckingham Palace for the 50th anniversary of King Charles’ King’s Trust charity, of which he was the first official ambassador in the 1980s.
His former wife, Jill Tavelman, shared photos from the “truly memorable afternoon”, including one with Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster.
Collins, who retired from performing in 2022 due to health issues, was using crutches in the photo.
“Despite the downpours of torrential rain which did not seem to dampen the festivities @officialphilcollins and I were very proud and honoured to be there, and have a few private moments with King Charles who seemed genuinely pleased to see Phil,” Tavelman wrote.
“We ran into @sirrodstewart and @penny.lancaster among other old (in the nicest sense of the word) friends.”
She and Collins were married from 1984 to 1996 and are the parents of Emily in Paris star Lily Collins.
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Tavelman added that she and Collins were working on an auction of personal items, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to the King’s Trust, which helps vulnerable young people.
Public appearances have become increasingly rare for the In the Air Tonight musician following a range of health issues.
In January, Collins told BBC Era’s podcast his challenges were “an ongoing thing”.
“I have a 24-hour live-in nurse to make sure I take my medication as I should do. I’ve had challenges with my knee. I had everything that could go wrong with me, did go wrong with me. I got COVID in hospital. My kidneys started to back up. Everything seemed to converge at the same time,” he said.
Collins explained he had undergone five knee surgeries and now only one of them works.
He said although he could walk, he needed the aid of crutches or some assistance.
He previously suffered a neck injury in 2007, and in 2017 told The Independent he had type 2 Diabetes.
After five decades of performing, the legendary drummer was forced to give up his passion.
“I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock,” Collins said in his Phil Collins: Drummer First documentary, released in 2024.
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