Kate Beckinsale Returns to the Red Carpet for the First Time Since Health Scare: 'It's Been a Rough Year' (Exclusive)

The 'Underworld' actress returned to the red carpet at the inaugural King's Trust Gala in New York City on Thursday, May 2

Kate Beckinsale is back on the red carpet after a "rough year," she tells PEOPLE exclusively.

After an extended hospital stay for an undisclosed health issue, the Underworld actress, 50, hit the carpet for the inaugural King's Trust Gala in New York City on Thursday, May 2.

"It's been a rough year," Beckinsale admitted to PEOPLE. "Because my parents have both been unwell and my cat ... it's been a bunch of things. So that's why it's nice to come and see friends and have a little perspective. Everyone's had a bit of a rough year, I think."

Beckinsale wore an intricate one-shoulder sheer white organza gown with a sculpted wave-like structure from her shoulder to the hem. The gown's bodice only covered a portion of her torso, leaving her waist visible. The dress' skirt included several layers, with the voluminous fabric falling in one direction, creating a makeshift "slit."

The slit showed off her bright white open-toe platform heels. However, her accessories didn't stop there as she also held an emerald green bejeweled clutch that perfectly matched her vibrant manicure.

As for jewels, Beckinsale wore a pair of one-strand diamond dangle earrings and a couple of diamond rings. Her glam highlighted her gown's ethereal essence and included shimmery eye shadow, nude lipgloss and a high updo topped off with an oversized black bow.

Beckinsale also shared with PEOPLE why King's Trust events are very meaningful to her.

"First of all, usually when [King’s Trust Global Ambassador] Edward [Enninful] tells me to do something, I do it," she joked.

"Second of all, I've been to this event a few times and you come in and you see all the people that you're friends with that you haven't seen for a while and that's really nice," she continued. "And then it gets like to that moment where the kids start talking and you're like, this is why we're all here. It's so moving and inspiring."

"And you really realize how much of an amazing job the King's Trust does with these kids. Their whole futures are completely altered by this charity," she concluded. "It's so important."

Other guests at the star-studded event included John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Penélope Cruz, Rita Ora, Kate Moss and the evening's co-chairman King’s Trust Global Ambassador and Chairman of the Global Ambassadors Group, Lionel Richie.

Beckinsale was last seen on the red carpet in February when she attended the SAG-AFTRA awards in a hip-baring silver dress. Before that, she wore a different silver ensemble to the Golden Globes on Jan. 7.

Related: A Timeline of Kate Beckinsale's Recent Health Issues

For the ceremony, The Widow star donned a shimmering silver Atelier Zuhra gown with a sheer skirt and oversized rosette on one shoulder. She paired her ensemble with matching sky-high heels.

Since March, Beckinsale has largely stayed out of the spotlight as she focused on her health. On March 10, she shared a teary-eyed photo of herself in a hospital bed on Instagram. The post was a tribute to her mom in honor of the U.K.'s Mother's Day.

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"Thank you to those that love us and support us when it’s s--- and try to make sure there are some bits that aren’t," she wrote. "And for looking after our dogs when we can’t, and lead us to remember happy things when we can’t. And turn up when we are sick and sit with us . . And send balloons and check in and pull us out of wells with love."

Related: Kate Beckinsale Hints at 'Stomach' Problems in New Social Media Post amid Health Issues

Over the next few days, she shared more photos from her hospital stay, including visits from her cat Willow, and her Pomeranian Myf. She shared another post on Easter, showing off her festive bunny socks from her hospital bed.

Beckinsale appeared to return home around April 7, when she shared videos of herself hanging out with Myf on her Instagram Stories. Then, on the 10th, she deleted all photos from her hospital stay off Instagram.

While she still hasn't disclosed why she was in the hospital, the actress appeared to use fashion to hint at the reason in an Instagram post on April 17. In the photo, she wore a T-shirt that read "tummy troubles survivor," which she captioned, “💪🏼 🤍."

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