King Charles III is venturing into music streaming. The 76-year-old monarch has joined forces with Apple Music to launch his new radio show, “The King’s Music Room,” where he will share his favorite songs and their stories.
Filmed at Buckingham Palace, it will be aired on March 10 and will be a mix of Afrobeats, disco, and reggae classics from the 1930s. Fans and palace observers have been abuzz with news, with everyone eagerly anticipating hearing what’s in the King’s playlist.
In a teaser video posted on March 6, King Charles sits behind his desk in Buckingham Palace, dressed in a blue-striped suit, white shirt, and tie. He speaks warmly about how music has been a constant companion in his life, bringing joy, comfort, and nostalgia.
“Music has been very important to me in my life. It has that special ability to take us to another place and another time, to make us feel better when we’re upset, and to provide us with pleasant memories,”
He says in the video.
He continues,
“But perhaps, more than anything, it can lift our spirits and bring us together in celebration. This was what I particularly wanted to share with you—songs that have delighted me. This was such a new and interesting way to mark this year’s Commonwealth Day.”
The King’s words struck a chord with many, reflecting his deep personal love for music. The new series isn’t a playlist but a carefully curated collection of songs that have shaped his life and reign.
One of the more intriguing aspects of “The King’s Music Room” is its eclectic collection of songs. King Charles has curated a mixed collection that spans generations and genres, a reflection of his eclecticism in his musical interests.
The show features such iconic performers as Bob Marley, British pop singer Kylie Minogue, Afrobeats star Davido, and disco queen Grace Jones, to name a few. His selections include favorites and references to international musical success, mainly from Commonwealth nations.
Even a preview for the show featured Buckingham Palace guards dancing to Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved,” a scene that gave palace protocol a welcome and unexpected twist. This lighthearted and open-minded approach to song choice shows the King’s eclecticism and acceptance of alternative culture and genres.
The timing of this radio show’s release is no coincidence. Commonwealth Day, which is celebrated on March 10, represents unity among the 56 member nations, and King Charles has chosen to celebrate this occasion through music. The show, featuring musicians from these various regions of the world, celebrates the Commonwealth’s cultural richness.
Master of the King’s Music Errollyn Wallen had these words to offer on why this musical project means so much: “The Commonwealth has made a great contribution to the world in terms of a rich array of music and musicians. This collection testifies to that creativity, and it’s wonderful to see the King embracing it personally.”
This collaboration with Apple Music marks a massive step towards the monarchy reaching a digital public. Streaming has come to dominate music listening, and by venturing into that territory, King Charles demonstrates a clever awareness of how to remain contemporary in a shifting media landscape.
Apple Music executives have enthusiastically embraced the partnership. Apple’s global content and editorial chief, Rachel Newman, has stated,
“To have King Charles III share his playlist with the rest of the world is a privilege. It’s a great illustration of how music brings people from different generations and cultures together.”
“The King’s Music Room” will premiere on Apple Music 1 on March 10, 2025, at 6 a.m. GMT. It will be live-streamed for free on the platform’s dedicated 24/7 radio station, with additional broadcasts scheduled for March 10 and 11. It will be streamed later with a subscription to Apple Music for those who miss it live. It’s a welcome and intimate gesture for King Charles to share his musical experience with the public.
While the monarchy is usually considered in terms of protocol and tradition, such efforts present a more human side to royalty. His eclectically international and personally intimate choices confirm his global perspective and his love for how music can unite different peoples.
