King Charles III marked his 78th birthday on Saturday, November 14, with a special appearance on Sir Elton John’s Apple Music radio programme, Rocket Hour, where the two shared memories of their long association and exchanged jokes about growing older. The special broadcast also highlighted the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust, the youth charity Charles founded in 1976 when he was Prince of Wales.
The prerecorded conversation was recorded in October at Apple Music’s new radio studios at Battersea Power Station in London and premiered on the monarch’s birthday. The Royal Family’s official announcement said the programme would celebrate the role music has played in the charity’s work and revisit performances by artists who have supported it over five decades.
‘I’m Still Standing’ Sparks A Birthday Joke
One of the conversation’s memorable moments came as Charles recalled Elton John performing his hit I’m Still Standing at a 1986 benefit concert marking the Trust’s 10th anniversary. The King described the song as an inspiration to people in different circumstances because of its spirit and message of resilience.
Reflecting on the four decades since that performance, Charles said he and the Trust were “definitely still standing”. John quickly added that he was “still sitting now, though”, prompting laughter. The King continued the joke by referring to the occasional physical setbacks that come with ageing.
The exchange quickly became a light-hearted highlight of the broadcast, connecting the song’s enduring message with the charity’s long history and the friendship between the monarch and the music star. Reuters reported on the birthday exchange, including the pair’s recollections of the 1986 Wembley Arena concert.
A Friendship Built Around Music And Charity
Charles and John have crossed paths at major royal and charitable events over several decades. Their shared history includes benefit performances organised to support the Trust, which was established to help young people facing barriers to education, training and employment.
During the programme, the pair reflected on concerts and performances associated with the organisation, including events at Wembley Arena, Hyde Park and the Royal Albert Hall. Their discussion also recognised musicians who received early support from the Trust and later achieved international success.
One example was Muse, whose early incarnation, Rocket Baby Dolls, received a grant to buy sound equipment. The band later returned to support the organisation with a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The story illustrated how targeted assistance at the beginning of a career can help emerging creative talent develop.
The King’s Trust Marks 50 Years Of Supporting Young People
Founded in 1976 as The Prince’s Trust, the organisation was created by Charles to help disadvantaged young people build confidence, develop skills and move towards employment or entrepreneurship. It was renamed The King’s Trust after he became monarch in 2022. The charity says it has supported more than one million young people since its establishment.
John praised the organisation’s work and said that championing young artists and showing belief in their potential can make a meaningful difference. His comments reflected the programme’s wider theme: the relationship between music, opportunity and the people and institutions that help new talent find an audience.
The special also introduced listeners to a mix of established and emerging performers. Charles’s selections included Elton John’s I’m Still Standing, The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love, Tina Turner, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, Muse, Raye and Skye Newman. The playlist linked the Trust’s early charity concerts with artists whose work continues to reach new generations.
Music Remains A Personal Interest For Charles
The appearance follows Charles’s earlier collaboration with Apple Music on The King’s Music Room, a programme recorded at Buckingham Palace and released for Commonwealth Day in March 2025. In that broadcast, he selected music from across the Commonwealth and discussed the personal meaning behind his choices.
For John, Rocket Hour has provided a platform for established performers and emerging musicians since 2015. The birthday special brought that artist-discovery role together with the Trust’s anniversary, giving the two men an opportunity to revisit decades of musical memories while highlighting the importance of supporting young people.
The full special premiered on Apple Music 1 on November 14, with further broadcasts scheduled across Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits. Listeners can find programme information through Apple Music and the Royal Household’s programme announcement.
Sources and further reading: The Royal Family – The King joins Elton John’s Rocket Hour; Reuters – King Charles jokes with Elton John on his birthday; The Guardian – ‘Still standing’: King jokes on Rocket Hour; The Independent – King Charles and Elton John discuss growing older; Wikimedia Commons – Elton John at the 1986 Prince’s Trust Rock Gala (CC BY 2.0).