The King has admitted he finds it “incredibly hard to sit still” when listening to Kylie Minogue’s song ‘The Loco-Motion’ during his debut radio show to mark Commonwealth Day.
Recorded in His Majesty’s private office at Buckingham Palace last month, he reminisced about the time the Australian artist performed for him inside St James’ Palace, during a reception in 2012 celebrating Australians in the UK.
The King has also revealed intimate memories from time spent with his late mother and grandmother.
The special radio programme features fifteen of The King’s favourite artists from around the Commonwealth, as well as two extra songs he couldn’t resist including in his personal playlist.
American signer Diana Ross, who’s song ‘Upside Down’ holds a special place in The King’s heart, takes one of the special spots during the radio show, broadcast on Apple Music 1 for free from today.
The King visited Apple’s London HQ at Battersea Power Station in December to meet young people from his charity The King’s Trust, who are supported by Apple with tech workshops.
British singer-songwriter RAYE performed for His Majesty during the engagement, and it is understood he was very impressed by her performance and wanted to listen to more of her work.
RAYE is one of the more modern artists introduced by King Charles during the episode, with her song ‘Love Me Again’.
During the broadcast, The King said: “Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. I know that is also the case for so many others.”
“It has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories flooding back from the deepest recesses of our memory, to comfort us in times of sadness, and to take us to distant places.”
“But perhaps, above all, it can lift our spirits to such a degree, and all the more so when it brings us together in celebration. In other words, it brings us joy.”
Beyonce is the other non-Commonwealth artist to feature, who famously texted her support to Meghan Markle following her bombshell Oprah interview in 2021.
The global superstar has also supported King Charles for decades as a King’s Trust ambassador, which helps young people around the world.
In 2014, she teamed up with the then Prince of Wales during her UK tour to raise money for the charity.
At the time, Beyonce said: “As a young child I was blessed to have the support of my family who encouraged me to reach for my goals.”
“So many young people don’t have this. I am honoured to partner…with The Prince’s Trust to help young people beat the odds and create better lives for themselves.”
Beyonce is the other non-Commonwealth artist to feature
GETTY
The King introduced Beyonce’s song ‘Crazy in Love’ and congratulated the pop icon on her recent Grammy wins.
It is understood a number of the artists chosen by King Charles have been made aware of their inclusion in this special episode, which explores the “richness and diversity” of music from around the Commonwealth – spanning ten decades of King Charles’ personal taste.
Branding 1920s / 1930s music “irresistible”, he shares deeply personal memories with Apple’s global audience of around 93 million subscribers worldwide.
The vintage era of music reminded His Majesty of his “much loved grandmother” Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who used to play a lot of songs from the time.
The King also recalls a time spent at Balmoral Castle with his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, when he was eight or nine years old and the then Prime Minister of Ghana came to visit.
The vintage era of music reminded His Majesty of his ‘much loved grandmother’ Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
PA
The young Prince Charles was gifted a bow and arrow, who subsequently shot it directly into a pine tree and got the arrow stuck.
The King also features Prince Harry’s friend and Canadian singer, Michael Bublé, in the radio broadcast – introducing his track ‘Just Haven’t Met You Yet’.
A military rendition of Bob Marley’s song ‘Could You Be Loved’ is played on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace by the Band of the Welsh Guards at the start of the programme, and His Majesty recalls meeting the iconic Jamaican musician many years ago.
In 2008, during a Royal Tour of Jamaica, the then Prince Charles visited the singer’s former home, which is now a museum.
Grace Jones and contemporary artist Davido also make The King’s Music Room, which is broadcast on Apple Music 1 on Monday March 10 at 6am, or on demand with an Apple Music subscription.
The King’s Music Room on Apple Music 1 Playlist in full:
- Bob Marley & The Wailers — “Could You Be Loved”
- Millie Small — “My Boy Lollipop”
- Kylie Minogue — “The Loco-Motion”
- Al Bowlly — “The Very Thought of You”
- Grace Jones — “La Vie En Rose”
- RAYE — “Love Me Again”
- Daddy Lumba — “Mpempem Do Me”
- Davido — “KANTE” (feat. Fave)
- Miriam Makeba — “The Click Song”
- Jools Holland & Ruby Turner — “My Country Man”
- Anoushka Shankar — “Indian Summer”
- Siti Nurhaliza — “Anta Permana”
- Dame Kiri Te Kanawa — “E Te Iwi E (Call to the People)”
- Michael Bublé — “Haven’t Met You Yet”
- Arrow — “Hot Hot Hot”
- BONUS NON COMMONWEALTH TRACK — “Crazy in Love” (feat. Jay-Z)
- BONUS NON COMMONWEALTH TRACK — Diana Ross — “Upside Down”
