King Charles marked his 78th birthday on Saturday as he appeared on Sir Elton John’s Rocket Hour, joking with the singer about ageing and saying that both he and his charity, the King’s Trust, are “definitely still standing”.
The special recorded episode of the Apple Radio show marked the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust. The pair selected 14 tracks, including Sir Elton’s hit “I’m Still Standing”, which the King chose for its “message of resilience”, and reminisced about a 1986 Rock Gala at Wembley Arena for the trust’s 10th anniversary.
“I know people in all kinds of circumstances find this song inspiring, not only for its marvellous spirit, but also its message of resilience,” Charles said. “And certainly, 40 years on from that remarkable concert, we and the Trust are definitely still standing.”
Sir Elton, 79, laughed and quipped, “I’m still sitting now, though”. The King chuckled back: “With occasional bits dropping off here and there. I know this is a terrible problem as we get older.”
The monarch, who founded the charity as the Prince’s Trust in 1976, said appearing on the show was “an opportunity too good to resist” and “the most enjoyable and nostalgic journey through some of the many musical high spots of the last half-century”.
Among the King’s chosen tracks was “Giant” by Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man, which he said captured the “spirit of that well-known saying about standing on the shoulders of giants, we can draw strength from those who have gone before us”. He also picked Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” as a tribute to the musician, who was being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist on Saturday. “I could not be more pleased for him,” Charles said, noting that Collins’ daughter Lily was also a trust supporter.
Asked by Sir Elton to name a song he found “extremely meaningful”, Charles chose The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love”. He recalled a performance of the song at the Golden Jubilee concert for his mother Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, calling it “a totally timeless song with a timeless message”.
Sir Elton’s selections included Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog”, which he said changed his life after his mother brought the record home. “I’d never heard anything like it before as well and it set me on my road to my career,” he said.
The conversation was recorded last month at the Apple Music Studios in Battersea Power Station, south London. The full episode premiered at 9am on Saturday on Apple Music 1, with additional free broadcasts scheduled throughout the weekend before becoming available on demand.
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Analysis
Why This Matters
The broadcast showcases the King’s Trust, one of the UK’s most prominent youth charities, as it marks its 50th anniversary
The appearance underlines the monarch’s long-standing personal connection with music and cultural figures, reinforcing the softer, public-facing side of the monarchy
The show’s availability on Apple Music extends the King’s message beyond traditional broadcast audiences
Background
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) established the Prince’s Trust in 1976 to support young people facing disadvantage. It was renamed the King’s Trust after his accession. Sir Elton John has been a long-time supporter, performing at the trust’s 10th anniversary Rock Gala in 1986. The Rocket Hour is Sir Elton’s regular Apple Radio show.
Key Perspectives
King Charles: said appearing on Rocket Hour was “the most enjoyable and nostalgic journey through some of the many musical high spots of the last half-century”. He chose the playlist to highlight the trust’s work in providing young people with their first opportunities, noting that bands such as Muse (formerly Rocket Baby Dolls) had received early grants from the trust.
Sir Elton John: joked about being “still sitting now” when the King said they were still standing, and recalled how Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” set him on his musical career. He praised the King as a “great lover of music”.
What to Watch
Whether the broadcast boosts donations or public awareness of the King’s Trust
Future collaborations between the monarchy and major streaming platforms
Sir Elton’s next Rocket Hour episode and any further high-profile guests
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
SupportedKing Charles marked his 78th birthday on Saturday by appearing on Elton John’s Rocket Hour.UK news | The Guardian: “King Charles marked his 78th birthday on Saturday joking with Elton John that they were “still standing” as he appeared on the singer-songwriter’s Rocket Hour”
SupportedThe special recorded episode marked the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust.UK news | The Guardian: “In a special recorded episode of the Apple Radio show to mark the 50th anniversary of the monarch’s charity the King’s Trust”
SupportedCharles said that he and the Trust were “definitely still standing”.The Independent UK: “And certainly, 40 years on from that remarkable concert, we and the Trust are definitely still standing.”
SupportedElton John, aged 79, joked, “I’m still sitting now, though”.The Independent UK: “However, Sir Elton, 79, laughed and quipped, "I’m still sitting now, though"”
SupportedCharles replied, “With occasional bits dropping off here and there. I know this is a terrible problem as we get older.”The Independent UK: “with the King chuckling: "With occasional bits dropping off here and there. I know this is a terrible problem as we get older."”
SupportedThe pair selected 14 tracks.The Independent UK: “The duo selected 14 tracks including “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley”
SupportedCharles chose “I’m Still Standing” for its message of resilience.The Independent UK: “picking Sir Elton’s hit “I’m Still Standing” for its "message of resilience"”
SupportedCharles recalled Elton John performing at the 1986 Rock Gala for the Trust’s 10th anniversary.UK news | The Guardian: “Reminiscing about John, 79, performing the hit at a Rock Gala in 1986 to mark the trust’s 10th anniversary”
SupportedCharles said appearing on the show was “an opportunity too good to resist”.UK news | The Guardian: “The king said that appearing on Rocket Hour, which featured tracks from many musicians who have been associated with the trust over its half-century, was “an opportunity too good to resist”.”
SupportedCharles chose “Giant” to express the idea that people can draw strength from those who came before them.UK news | The Guardian: “One of his choices was Giant, the 2019 dance and electronic number by Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man, to exemplify the “spirit of that well-known saying about standing on the shoulders of giants, we can draw strength from those who have gone before us”, he said.”
SupportedCharles chose Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” as a tribute to Collins, who was being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist on Saturday.UK news | The Guardian: “Another, In the Air Tonight, was picked in tribute to Phil Collins, a “tremendous” trust supporter, who on Saturday is being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.”
SupportedThe episode premiered at 9am on Saturday on Apple Music 1.The Independent UK: “The full episode of Elton John’s Rocket Hour premiered at 9am on Saturday on Apple Music 1.”
Correction
An earlier version of this story omitted the words “as well” from Sir Elton John’s quote about first hearing “Hound Dog”.