King Charles, 78, Shares 14 Songs on Elton John Radio Special

King Charles turned 78 on Saturday, marking the occasion by appearing on a special edition of Sir Elton John's Rocket Hour radio show. The episode featured the monarch and the musician selecting 14 tracks together while discussing their shared history with the King's Trust.

The program was recorded last month at Apple Music Studios in south London and premiered on Saturday morning. It coincided with the 50th anniversary of the King's Trust, a charity supported by musicians for decades. The pair chose songs that reflected themes of resilience and community.

During the broadcast, the King identified Elton John's 1986 performance of I'm Still Standing at Wembley Arena as a memorable moment. That concert marked the charity's 10th anniversary. King Charles described the song as having a timeless message that inspires people in various circumstances.

The pair joked about the physical changes of aging. Sir Elton noted that he is still sitting, prompting King Charles to comment on occasional bits dropping off as one gets older. The King also highlighted the importance of finding strength from others, citing the song Rag'n'Bone Man by Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man as a summary of his charity's work.

Other selections on the playlist included Bob Dylan's Gotta Serve Somebody, Muse's Feeling Good, and Nectar Woode's Wine into Water, the latter featuring Sir Elton on piano. The King also pointed to The Beatles' All You Need is Love as extremely meaningful, recalling a 2002 performance by Paul McCartney for Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee.

The show opened with Tina Turner's Proud Mary. King Charles remembered the late pop icon as an electrifying character and noted that a guard at Buckingham Palace played her hit Simply the Best after her death in 2023. He described this as a small way to thank her for her support of his charities. The full list also included Rod Stewart's Handbags And Gladrags, Elvis Presley's Hound Dog, Pete Townsend's Let My Love Open The Door, and Raye's Joy.

Apple Music One will rebroadcast the program at 17:00 and 22:00 on Saturday. It will air again on Sunday at 02:00 and 06:00. The episode will also be featured on Apple Music Hits on Sunday at 10:00 and 14:00.