King Charles marks 78th birthday on Elton John's radio show

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 14:08 · Archive

King Charles appeared on Sir Elton John's Rocket Hour podcast on his 78th birthday to discuss music and the King's Trust charity.

King Charles joined Sir Elton John on a special episode of Rocket Hour, the musician's Apple Radio show, on Saturday to mark the monarch's 78th birthday. The pair recorded the programme at Apple Music Studios in south London and used the appearance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the King's Trust, the royal charity.

During the broadcast, Charles and Sir Elton, 79, selected 14 songs together and discussed their favourite musical memories. Charles chose The Beatles' 'All You Need Is Love' and highlighted Sir Elton's 1983 track 'I'm Still Standing' as a particular favourite because of its 'message of resilience'. He recalled the musician's performance of the song at Wembley Arena in 1986 to mark the trust's 10th anniversary, saying: 'I suspect that no-one who was present on that night in 1986 could possibly forget your performance of I'm Still Standing.'

Charles told Sir Elton: 'I know people in all kinds of circumstances find this song inspiring, not only for its marvellous spirit, but also its message of resilience. And certainly, 40 years on from that remarkable concert, we and the Trust are definitely still standing.'

The pair shared jokes about the realities of ageing. When Charles made his comment about the trust 'still standing', Sir Elton quipped: 'I'm still sitting now, though' with a laugh. Charles responded: 'With occasional bits dropping off here and there. I know this is a terrible problem as we get older.'

During the broadcast, the pair also discussed other favourite musicians supported by the King's Trust. Charles picked 'Giant', a 2019 dance and electronic track by Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man, to exemplify 'standing on the shoulders of giants, we can draw strength from those who have gone before us'. He also selected 'In the Air Tonight' in tribute to Phil Collins, describing him as a 'tremendous' trust supporter who was being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist on the day of the broadcast. Charles noted that Collins's daughter Lily, an actress, was also a trust supporter, 'which I think is a really special connection across the generations'.

The special episode highlighted the key role music has played in the work of the King's Trust over its half-century, showcasing performances at venues including Wembley Arena in the 1980s, Hyde Park and the Royal Albert Hall.

How it is being reported

• King Charles enjoys a joke with Sir Elton John about ageing as monarch turns 78King Charles has turned 78 and, to celebrate the milestone, he joined forces with Sir Elton John for a special radio broadcast during Rocket Hour, the music legend's regular slot on Apple RadioThe Mirror · 14 Nov, 13:57
• William and Kate send greetings to King Charles on monarch’s 78th birthdayKing Charles and Sir Elton John take to the airwaves for a special radio show to mark the landmarkEvening Standard · 14 Nov, 12:53
• King Charles and Sir Elton John joke about growing old in surprise Rocket Hour appearanceThe pair recorded the show in secret at the Apple Music StudiosThe Independent · 14 Nov, 10:06
• King jokes with Elton John as he marks 78th birthday with radio showThe monarch appears on a special episode to coincide with his 78th birthday on Saturday.BBC News · 14 Nov, 10:02
• ‘Still standing’: king jokes as he appears on Elton John’s Rocket HourCharles marks 78th birthday and 50th anniversary of King’s Trust charity with a playlist for special episode of podcast 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 for a shared musical journey. In a special recorded episode of the Apple Radio show to mark the 50th anniversary of the monarch’s charity the King’s Trust, Charles’s playlist included John’s I’m Still Standing. Continue reading...The Guardian · 14 Nov, 10:00
• Elton John jokes ‘I’m still sitting now’ as King picks star’s hit for radio showCharles and Sir Elton shared musical memories in a special episode of the singer’s Rocket Hour which aired on the monarch’s 78th birthday.Evening Standard · 14 Nov, 10:00

In this story: King Charles · Sir Elton John · Rocket Hour · King's Trust · Apple Radio · Wembley Arena · Apple Music Studios

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