King Charles has shared a personally curated playlist of songs that bring him joy, showcasing his diverse taste in music.
The selection includes a mix of reggae, Afrobeats, and contemporary pop hits, reflecting the broad spectrum of sounds that have shaped his life. Among the artists featured are legendary reggae icon Bob Marley, pop superstar Kylie Minogue, and the ever-stylish Grace Jones.
The playlist also highlights talents from across the Commonwealth, including Nigerian-American singer Davido and British singer-songwriter Raye, who recently won a Brit Award. The King’s musical choices offer a glimpse into the songs that have provided comfort and inspiration throughout his life.
As part of this celebration of music, King Charles has recorded a special Apple Music radio show titled The King’s Music Room. The broadcast, recorded from his office at Buckingham Palace, is named after one of the palace’s state rooms, where he was christened as a baby in 1948.
During the show, the King will share personal anecdotes about meeting some of the featured artists and explain how these songs have become the soundtrack to different moments in his life.
The program aims to offer listeners a unique insight into the role music has played in shaping his memories and emotions over the years.
In a preview of the show, King Charles speaks about the deep connection he has with music and its ability to evoke powerful emotions. He reflects on how certain songs transport him back in time, sparking joyful recollections or providing solace during difficult moments.
“Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. I know that is also the case for so many others,” the King shares. “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.”
His words highlight the universal power of music to connect people across different generations and cultures.
Beyond nostalgia, the King also speaks about music’s unique ability to unite people in celebration and uplift the human spirit. “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,” he explains.
His playlist reflects this sentiment, featuring songs that not only hold personal significance but also resonate with people across the Commonwealth. Apple Music has described the special broadcast as a rare and personal look at the King’s musical influences, even revealing his appreciation for classic “1930s crooners” alongside his more contemporary choices.
The King’s Music Room will air on Apple Music 1 to mark Commonwealth Day on Monday, March 10. To commemorate the collaboration, a new photo of King Charles has been released, showing him seated at his desk in Buckingham Palace, an illuminated “On Air” sign beside him as he records the program.
His decision to share his musical preferences follows a tradition within the royal family of expressing appreciation for the arts. In a previous 2021 interview, Charles revealed that songs by The Three Degrees, Diana Ross, and Edith Piaf ranked among his all-time favorites.
King Charles is not the only member of the royal family to discuss his love for music. The late Queen Elizabeth II was known to enjoy classic show tunes, with some of her favorite songs reportedly including Oklahoma from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Anything You Can Do from Annie Get Your Gun, and Leaning on a Lamp-Post by George Formby.
Meanwhile, Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has also shown his appreciation for modern music, famously attending a Taylor Swift concert with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. He has previously stated that he listens to “a bit of everything,” embracing a wide range of musical genres.
As The King’s Music Room prepares to air, it offers a rare and personal insight into the music that has shaped the life of the British monarch.
