Here Are The Artists On The King’s Playlist Right Now
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3 days ago
Ever wondered who would make it onto King Charles' Spotify Wrapped? Well, we're taking this news as confirmation he's an Apple Music subscriber. Here's a taste of his Replay
His Majesty King Charles III has made history as the first monarch to host a radio show (ignoring all of the pre-TV Christmas radio broadcasts, of course). In The King’s Music Room – recorded at Buckingham Palace and set to broadcast on Apple Music 1 on Monday – Charles gives an exclusive insight into his music taste which, it turns out, spans 1930s crooners to Afrobeats.
The King’s Music Room: What To Expect From Charles’ Radio Broadcast
The King’s Music Room has been created in collaboration with Apple Music to mark Commonwealth Day on Monday 10 March 2025. Described as ‘a musical journey that reflects His Majesty’s personal taste’, the special broadcast will feature discussion from Charles about his journeys around the world, anecdotes and encounters with some of the musicians featured, and insight into why his chosen songs soundtrack his life, all spliced with the songs in question.
‘Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me,’ Charles says in the broadcast. ‘I know that is also the case for so many others. 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.
‘But 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,’ the King says.
Watch the trailer below.
‘Human curation has always been a key pillar of our unique editorial approach,’ Apple Music’s global head of content Rachel Newman says on the collaboration. ‘Apple Music Radio is where culture is happening worldwide, and we are honoured that King Charles III chose to share his personal playlist with us, and with music fans around the world.’
How would one describe the King’s music taste? ‘Fun and eclectic,’ says Errollyn Wallen CBE, master of The King’s Music Room. ‘You can see His Majesty’s wide-ranging enthusiasm for music in this playlist to mark Commonwealth Day. The Commonwealth has produced more than its fair share of wonderful songs, singers, and musicians, and this fun and eclectic collection is a great reminder of this treasure trove of creativity.’
So which musicians made it onto his list? Here’s what we know.
What’s On King Charles’ Playlist?
The full playlist will be revealed when The King’s Music Room is broadcast on Monday, but we know the following artists will feature:
- Bob Marley
- Kylie Minogue
- Grace Jones
- Davido
- Raye
The monarch has previously noted a preference for The Three Degrees, Diana Ross and Edith Piaf, so we wouldn’t be surprised to hear some of their tracks on The King’s Music Room, too.
If the King takes inspiration from his late mother, we will also hear some musical hits: Queen Elizabeth II was a fan of ‘Oklahoma’ and ‘Anything You Can Do’, as well as George Formby’s ‘Leaning On A Lamp-Post’.
If heir-to-the-throne Prince William has had any input, it’ll be more of a 00s bonanza. The Prince of Wales is known to favour dance tracks, Linkin Park and Coldplay, comprising ‘a bit of everything’. We also know the Prince is a Taylor Swift fan after he was spotted shaking it off at the Eras Tour last year with his children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
What Is The King’s Music Room?
Aside from the name of his Apple Radio broadcast, the King’s Music Room is one of the state rooms in Buckingham Palace, coincidentally where Prince Charles was christened in 1948. That said, the broadcast wasn’t actually recorded here; Charles recorded the show in his Buckingham Palace office, instead.
How To Listen To The King’s Music Room
The King’s Music Room will be broadcast live on Apple Music 1 on Monday 10 March 2025 from 6am. Apple Music 1 is free to tune into, and you can find it here or on the Apple Music app.
You don’t need a subscription to Apple Music to listen to The King’s Music Room live, but you do need a subscription to tune in on demand.
Will There Be Another Episode?
Some publications are describing The King’s Music Room as a ‘one off’, but there’s no confirmation either way just yet. If the broadcast is successful, perhaps Charles will team up with Apple Music again for next year’s Commonwealth Day on Monday 9 March 2026.
What Is Commonwealth Day?
Observed on the second Monday of March and previously known as Empire Day, Commonwealth Day is all about celebrating the heritage of the Commonwealth through speeches, flag-raising ceremonies and education. As the British monarch, King Charles is also Head of the Commonwealth, meaning he will deliver a special address on Monday – in addition to his radio broadcast.
