King Charles is set to appear on Sir Elton John's radio programme, with the pair discussing some of their favourite musicians who have been supported by The King's Trust. The monarch sat down with the rockstar in secret at the Apple Music Studios in Battersea Power Station in south London last month for the musical collaboration.
Elton hosts a regular radio programme on the streaming platform, with Charles's special episode filmed to highlight the key role of music in the work of the monarch's charity The King's Trust, which is celebrating its 50th year.
A Collaboration Too Good to Resist
The King described it as "an opportunity too good to resist", while Sir Elton admitted afterwards: "I learnt a lot from speaking to His Majesty."
Charles also thanked Sir Elton for adding "a little Rocket Power to the proceedings", and praised the popstar for becoming "such a national treasure after all these years". Sir Elton quipped "I'll be on the Antiques Roadshow", with the King laughing and retorting "Join the club".
Favourite Performances and Trust Memories
The pair shared memories of their favourite performances by some of music's biggest stars in support of the trust over the last five decades – from Wembley Arena rock galas of the 1980s through to pop concerts in Hyde Park and sold-out charity shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
The episode also highlighted some of those who received help from the trust in their early days, including Muse, who were given a grant from the then Prince's Trust to purchase PA equipment when they were starting out as a band under the name Rocket Baby Dolls.
Sir Elton told the King: "I never knew that some of these musicians were involved in the trust. It's great news to me… and it reinforces for me all the great work that you've done all these 50 years, because I had no idea. So bravo."
Investing in Talent
The King said it was "wonderful" to see the difference the trust's programmes can make, adding: "Well really, what I was trying to do was invest in the future, but particularly investing in talent."
Sir Elton said: "That's the greatest thing you can do. Young people are our future, and you're doing a wonderful job."
Charles and Sir Elton took part in the episode – the first to be recorded in the new Apple Radio studios – in October when they both visited Battersea Power Station for the launch of the Apple x King's Trust Creative Labs which aim to help young people explore potential careers in creative industries.
In the episode, the King said: "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."
Buckingham Palace described the episode as "a show that is something of shared musical journey" and said the King and Sir Elton's playlist "spans a range of decades and genres, from some meaningful personal favourites and golden oldies, to this year's new releases".
"From Tina Turner and Rod Stewart to Calvin Harris and this year's Mercury Prize winner Raye, we hope there is something there for everyone, whatever their age or musical taste," the spokesperson said.
Sir Elton has long been a supporter of The King's Trust, and performed at some of its rock galas at Wembley in the 1980s and donated a pair of his rose-tinted spectacles to raise money as part of its 50th anniversary auction. The full episode of Elton John's Rocket Hour will premiere at 9am on Saturday - the King's 78th birthday - on Apple Music 1.
