King shares favourite music memories with Sir Elton John in birthday radio special

The King has shared his favourite memories of music stars performing some of the world's greatest hits in a radio conversation with Sir Elton John.

During the chat recorded at Apple's London headquarters in Battersea last month, the pair reminisced about the Wembley Arena Rock Galas of the 1980s through to pop concerts in Hyde Park and sold-out charity shows at the Royal Albert Hall.

Raye, Skye Newman and Muse are some of the artists featuring in the special episode, airing on His Majesty's 78th birthday on Saturday.

During the episode, Charles tells Sir Elton: “Music has always been at the heart of The Prince’s, and now The King’s Trust. So when I was asked whether I would like to showcase a selection of music from among the many talented performers who have so generously supported us over the years, together with some of the newer artists The Trust has helped to launch, it was an opportunity too good to resist.”

The special recording on Elton John’s Rocket Hour focused on how sell-out showstoppers have helped fund the work of The King's Trust over five decades, which continues to support young people today.

His Majesty's charity is marking its 50th anniversary this year and has supported several music artists kickstart their careers – supporting new artists as alumni later down the line.

Muse received a grant from the then-Prince’s Trust to buy sound equipment when starting out as a band under the name Rocket Baby Dolls and, in a full circle moment, staged a sell-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall in support of The Trust in 2018.

After the special royal recording last month, Sir Elton said: “I learnt a lot from speaking to His Majesty. Hearing about the artists who have been involved in The King's Trust reinforces the great work that has been done over the last 50 years. I know from presenting my Rocket Hour show that if you champion a young artist and show you believe in them, it makes all the difference. That's the greatest thing you can do. Young people are our future and the King's Trust are doing a wonderful job."

The episode was the first show to be recorded at the new state-of-the-art Apple Radio studios in London.

The King and Sir Elton previously celebrated the launch of The King's Trust Creative Labs at the venue — a new series of specialised workshops to help equip young people with the technology, resources and in-demand industry skills needed to realise their potential and move into work.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman has told GB News: "This of course isn’t the first time that we have partnered with Apple. Many of you will remember The King’s Music Room, an Apple Music Radio Show released to mark Commonwealth Day in March 2025, which I’m delighted to say was the biggest show (on demand) month of release for any episode or special released on Apple Music in 2025 or 2026 so far.

"How did this come about? Well, at the heart of Sir Elton’s Rocket Hour series is his passion for championing new music and rising stars."

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"Sir Elton has a longstanding personal connection to the Trust himself, having been an important part of that story over the years – from performing at some of the massive Prince’s Trust Rock Galas at Wembley Arena in the 1980s to donating a pair of his iconic rose-tinted spectacles to raise funds for The Trust as part of its 50th anniversary auction."

Tracks included in Elton John’s Rocket Hour with His Majesty The King include Muse's ‘Feeling Good’, Raye's ‘Joy’, and Skye Newman's 'Hairdresser'.

Charles met Raye during an engagement at Battersea Power Station in December 2024.

Skye Newman recently performed at The King's Trust 50th Anniversary celebrations at The Royal Albert Hall in May this year.

The special episode will air on Apple Music 1 for free at 9am on Saturday, November 14, and will be available on demand via TuneIn.

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