King Charles and Elton John mark 50 years of youth charity on radio show

Britain's King Charles joined Elton John for a special edition of the singer's Apple Music radio show to celebrate 50 years of The King's Trust and musicians who have supported the youth charity, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

The episode of "Elton John's Rocket Hour" was recorded at Apple's new radio studios in London and will air on Apple Music on Saturday, November 14, Charles' 78th birthday.

While he was Prince of Wales, Charles founded the Prince's Trust in 1976 using his Royal Navy severance pay to help disadvantaged young people prepare for work, find jobs or start businesses. Renamed the King's Trust after Charles became king, the charity says it has supported more than one million young people.

The recording

The pair recorded the show in secret at the Apple Music Studios in Battersea Power Station in south London last month. The conversation was held to highlight the key role of music in the work of the monarch's charity, which is celebrating its 50th year.

Charles described it as "an opportunity too good to resist", while Sir Elton admitted afterwards: "I learnt a lot from speaking to His Majesty."

Charles also thanked Sir Elton for adding "a little Rocket Power to the proceedings" and praised the pop star for becoming "such a national treasure after all these years". Sir Elton quipped "I'll be on the Antiques Roadshow", with the King laughing and retorting "Join the club".

Music and memories

The pair shared memories of performances by some of music's biggest stars in support of the trust over the last five decades – from Wembley Arena rock galas of the 1980s through to pop concerts in Hyde Park and sold-out charity shows at the Royal Albert Hall.

The episode also highlighted some of those who received help from the trust in their early days, including Muse, who were given a grant from the then-Prince's Trust to purchase PA equipment when they were starting out as a band under the name Rocket Baby Dolls. The group later held a sold-out Royal Albert Hall concert in aid of the Trust in 2018.

Sir Elton told the King: "I never knew that some of these musicians were involved in the trust. It's great news to me… and it reinforces for me all the great work that you've done all these 50 years, because I had no idea. So bravo."

The King said it was "wonderful" to see the difference the trust's programmes can make, adding: "Well really, what I was trying to do was invest in the future, but particularly investing in talent."

Sir Elton said: "That's the greatest thing you can do. Young people are our future, and you're doing a wonderful job."

Broadcast details

The episode is the first to be recorded in the new Apple Radio studios. The full list of their chosen tracks is being kept secret until the programme airs, but it was revealed that Raye's "Joy", Skye Newman's "Hairdresser" and Muse's rendition of "Feeling Good" were among them.

The full episode of Elton John's Rocket Hour will premiere at 9am on Saturday on Apple Music 1. There will be additional opportunities to hear it for free on Apple Music 1 on Saturday at 5pm and 10pm, and on Sunday at 2am and 6am, and on both Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits at 10am and 2pm on Sunday. It will then be available to listen to or download from the Apple Music platform.

John received the Order of the Companions of Honour from Charles, then Prince of Wales, at Windsor Castle in 2021 for services to music and charity. John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1998. John's Rocket Hour is a weekly show that has aired globally on Apple Music 1 since 2015.

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Sources

• nst.com.my: King Charles marks 50 years of his youth charity with Elton John on radio show
• independent.co.uk: King Charles announced as special guest on Elton John's Apple Music radio show | The Independent
• news.ssbcrack.com: King Charles to celebrate 78th birthday on Elton John’s radio show, championing young talent and his Trust’s work - SSBCrack News
• irishnews.com: King to appear on Sir Elton John’s Rocket Hour radio show on Apple Music – The Irish News
• interaksyon.philstar.com: King Charles marks 50 years of his youth charity with Elton John on radio show

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