King Charles marked his 78th birthday on Saturday by joining Sir Elton John for a special episode of the musician’s Apple Music radio show, Rocket Hour.
The broadcast celebrated the monarch’s birthday and the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust. The youth charity was founded by Charles in 1976 when he was still the Prince of Wales. They recorded the show in October at Apple Music Studios in Battersea Power Station, south London. The hour-long special combined personal reflections on music with discussions about the charity’s work supporting young people in business, training, and the creative industries.
Charles described the 79-year-old singer as a national treasure.
I’ll be on the Antiques Roadshow next.
Sir Elton John
The monarch laughed and retorted, “Join the club,” before the conversation turned to the resilience of their long-running partnership with the charity.
We and the Trust are definitely still standing.
King Charles
Charles cited Sir Elton’s hit “I’m Still Standing” as a personal favorite. He recalled the musician’s performance of the track at a 1986 Rock Gala at Wembley Arena marking the organization’s 10th anniversary.
Sir Elton quipped back, “I’m still sitting now, though,” prompting Charles to chuckle and add, “With occasional bits dropping off here and there. I know this is a terrible problem as we get older.”
The King said his objective was to invest in the future and specifically in talent. Sir Elton said that investing in talent is the greatest action one can take and commended the monarch. The music legend also donated his rose-tinted spectacles to the charity’s 50th anniversary auction.
The conversation revisited fundraising concerts held over the decades at venues including Wembley, Hyde Park, and the Royal Albert Hall. The program was recorded during a visit by the King for the launch of Apple x King’s Trust Creative Labs.
Curating a Fourteen-Song Playlist
The two figures curated a 14-song playlist spanning decades and genres.
The playlist featured artists connected to the charity’s history.
Other tracks on the broadcast included:
- Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight
- Elton John – I’m Still Standing
- Rod Stewart – Handbags And Gladrags
- Muse – Feeling Good
- Skye Newman – Hairdresser
- The Beatles – All You Need Is Love
- Elvis Presley – Hound Dog
- Bob Dylan – Gotta Serve Somebody
- Lenny Kravitz – It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over
- Pete Townshend – Let My Love Open The Door
- Raye – Joy
- Nectar Woode – Wine Into Water
Radio Special Broadcasts Across the Weekend
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson joked that finding another project presented the challenge of avoiding “the difficult second album.” The collaboration follows Charles’s previous appearance on Apple Music with 2025’s The King’s Music Room, which featured 17 of his favorite songs.
The Rocket Hour special premiered on Apple Music 1 at 9 a.m. GMT (4 a.m. ET) on Saturday, November 14.
Repeat broadcasts aired across the weekend on Apple Music 1 at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., with additional airings on Sunday, November 15 at 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Both Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits broadcast the special at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. that Sunday before it became available to stream or download on the platform.
