Two Days of Royal Splendor and Unbelievable Prestige in NYC

By: Gloria Starr Kins

In a whirlwind of glamour and diplomacy, New York City recently played host to two unforgettable days of high-ranking international grandeur. The King and Queen of Hawaii descended upon the city to attend a special gathering at the United Nations, marking a ceremonial celebration of His Majesty’s royal decree.

The royal visit ignited a series of elite events, culminating in a glittering reception attended by key figures with deep ties to Hawaii—movers, shakers, and power brokers whose presence sparked extraordinary exchanges and high-level networking.

The crown jewel of the visit, however, was a private dinner the following evening hosted by none other than Michael Wang, a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur of legendary stature. Described as a “big shot” with global influence, Wang organized the exclusive affair not only in honor of the King and Queen but also to celebrate his own birthday in jaw-dropping style.

The location? The 100th floor of Central Park Tower—New York’s tallest residential building and one of the world’s most secretive luxury addresses. Normally inaccessible to outsiders, this ultra-exclusive venue became the setting for a royal evening thanks to Wang’s personal clout. Only those in his inner circle were granted access to this “real estate vault” in the sky.

Among the distinguished guests were the Crown Prince of Serbia, his wife, and sister-in-law, lending further international flair to the celebration. And in an extraordinary touch of class, Wang flew in the iconic Chinese pianist Liu Shikun from Australia to perform. Liu serenaded the room with a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday” for Michael, followed by a medley of historically renowned compositions that captivated everyone present.

Though the dinner coincided with Mr. Wang’s birthday, the event was, in truth, centered around a far greater cause: honoring Chinese piano master Liu Shikun on the second anniversary of his receiving the 40th Asia’s Most Outstanding Artist Lifetime Achievement Award—an honor originally established in 1981 by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Lincoln Center International Arts Exchange, and the Chinese American Arts Association.

A report from Ta Kung Pao Wen Wei Net described the evening in rich detail: Liu Shikun, a cultural legend from Hong Kong, gave a commanding live performance of “Yellow River” and his adaptation of “My Motherland.” His masterful interpretation and musical force drew waves of applause from a room filled with world figures.

Among the honored guests were also United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Xu Haoliang and the Chinese Consul General in New York, Chen Li.

Wang, still youthful and clearly at the height of his powers, was joined by his equally dynamic business partners—visionaries behind the development of Manhattan’s famed Billionaires’ Row. From the looks of the evening, these collaborators have transformed their skyscraping ventures into stratospheric success.

The dinner itself was an opulent affair. Thirty guests were seated at one long table overlooking Central Park, accompanied by live music performed on a grand piano. The cuisine was exquisite, the wine pairings flawless, and the ambience beyond compare.

As if the evening hadn’t already reached dizzying heights, the celebration continued on the 113th floor, where guests were treated to a panoramic, 360-degree view of the New York City skyline—an awe-inspiring moment to conclude an already surreal experience.

Among the honored attendees were a near “crown prince” of China and notable dignitaries from the UN Secretariat, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the evening.

And yet, amid all the royal pageantry, luxury, and luminous energy of young empire-builders, one reflection lingered with poignant honesty: At my age, I realized—no matter what—I missed the boat with all these gorgeous, dynamic, go-getter guys.

PC: Vitruvius Productions

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