The key facts

  • King Charles III and Sir Elton John together chose 14 songs for a special edition of Rocket Hour
  • The programme was timed to the King's 78th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the King's Trust
  • The episode was recorded in October at the Apple Music studios in south London and aired on Saturday morning

Radio broadcast for the King's 78th birthday

King Charles III marked his 78th birthday by taking part in a special edition of Sir Elton John's Rocket Hour radio show, BBC News reports. The 79-year-old musician invited the monarch to choose songs and share musical memories: together they selected 14 tracks. The programme was also timed to the 50th anniversary of the King's Trust and told how musicians had supported the organisation's charitable work.

Jokes about age and concert memories

The conversation was light-hearted. The King named Elton John's song I'm Still Standing one of his favourites because of its 'message of resilience', remarking: 'We and the Trust are definitely still standing.' The musician quipped: 'True, though I'm sitting down at the moment,' to which the King replied: 'With parts periodically falling off. I know, it's a terrible problem with age.' The episode was recorded last month at the Apple Music studios in south London and aired on Saturday morning.

Songs and personal stories

The King recalled Elton John's performance at Wembley Arena in 1986, held to mark the King's Trust's 10th anniversary, noting that no one present could forget the rendition of I'm Still Standing. Among the chosen tracks are Giant by Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man, which the King said reflected the spirit of his charitable foundation, Bob Dylan's Gotta Serve Somebody, Muse's Feeling Good and Nectar Wood's Wine into Water, on which Elton John plays piano. The King also called 'the most meaningful' the memory of Paul McCartney performing The Beatles' All You Need Is Love at the Party At The Palace concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's golden jubilee in 2002 — featuring Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker and, according to the King, Phil Collins on drums, and Brian May and Eric Clapton on guitars. The show opened with Tina Turner's Proud Mary: the King called the late singer 'an electrifying figure' and recalled that after her death in 2023, guardsmen outside Buckingham Palace performed her hit Simply the Best. The playlist also included Rod Stewart's Handbags And Gladrags, Elvis Presley's Hound Dog, Pete Townshend's Let My Love Open The Door and Raye's Joy.

When to hear the episode

Repeat broadcasts of the programme will air on Apple Music One on Saturday at 17:00 and 22:00, and on Sunday at 02:00 and 06:00. On the Apple Music Hits channel, the episode will air on Sunday at 10:00 and 14:00.

Elton John and King Charles stand side by side, both are smiling. Elton John is wearing a light blue shirt and a green cord jacket. The King is wearing a dark blue striped suit, with a light blue shirt and patterned tieImage source, Apple Music / Elton John's Rocket Hour
King Charles and Elton John are pictured in a black and white archival photo from 1986. The King is shown in profile, wearing a pinstriped suit. Sir Elton wears a black jacket with a paisley pattern and his characteristic thick-rimmed glasses. They're joined by drummer Ray Cooper and Dire Strait's bassist John Illsley.Image source, Press Association
Image caption,

Sir Elton performed for the 10th anniversary of the King's Trust in 1986 at Wembley Arena

Sir Elton wears a white tracksuit and silver skull-and-crossbones earring. He speaks with King Charles, who is gesturing a thumbs up. The pair appear to be engaged in a jovial conversation, with the King laughing.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The pair reunited in 2000, where Sir Elton performed alongside the Backstreet Boys at Party in the Park

Elton on the left wearing a dark green jacket, neon green, square-framed glasses and a wide grin. The king on the right, is wearing a charcoal striped blazer, a light shirt and tie and a smile.