# King Charles Celebrates 78th Birthday With Special Elton John Radio Collaboration The monarch joins Sir Elton John on Apple Music to mark The King's Trust anniversary. - **Source:** [The Independent – Culture](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/41622212-fb6e-473a-9635-ab09aa27dd0b ## Birthday Radio Special King Charles will mark his 78th birthday this Saturday with a special appearance on Sir Elton John’s Apple Music show, Rocket Hour. The hour-long episode premieres at 9am on Apple Music 1. This secret recording session took place last month at the new Apple Music Studios located in London’s Battersea Power Station. ## Celebrating Fifty Years The collaboration serves to highlight the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust, a charity dedicated to supporting young people. The King and Sir Elton discussed the organization’s long-standing connection to the music industry. They reviewed five decades of charity performances, ranging from 1980s Wembley rock galas to modern-day concerts at Hyde Park. ## Investing in Talent During their conversation, the King emphasized that his primary goal has always been investing in future talent. Sir Elton praised this mission, noting that young people represent the future. The episode also highlights success stories, such as the band Muse, who received an early grant from the trust to purchase essential equipment. ## Shared Musical Journey The curated playlist spans multiple decades and genres, featuring artists like Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Calvin Harris, and Mercury Prize winner Raye. Buckingham Palace described the show as a shared musical journey. Specific tracks confirmed for the broadcast include Raye’s Joy, Skye Newman’s Hairdresser, and Muse’s rendition of the classic song Feeling Good. ## Strategic Creative Labs The recording occurred during the launch of the Apple x King’s Trust Creative Labs at Battersea Power Station. This initiative aims to help young people explore potential career paths within the creative industries. The episode marks the first time a program has been recorded in these new, state-of-the-art Apple Radio studio facilities. ## Second Apple Venture This appearance marks the King’s second project with Apple Music. Last year, he participated in the King’s Music Room, where he showcased 17 of his personal favorite songs. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson noted that the King faced the challenge of avoiding a difficult second album, leading him to choose a world-class musical collaborator. ## Long-term Partnership Sir Elton John has been a consistent supporter of the charity for decades, having performed at numerous fundraising events since the 1980s. He recently donated a pair of his signature rose-tinted spectacles to an auction celebrating the trust’s 50th anniversary. Sir Elton admitted he learned significant details about the charity's impact during filming. ## Broad Cultural Impact The broadcast aims to reach a diverse audience by blending personal favorites with contemporary releases. By showcasing the trust's history through music, the King and Sir Elton hope to engage listeners of all ages. This collaboration reinforces the vital role that creative support plays in the long-term development of young professional talent. ## Sources covering this story - [The Independent – Culture — King Charles to Guest on Elton John's Apple Music Radio Show](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/king-charles-birthday-elton-john-rocket-radio-b3083337.html) - [Daily Mirror — King Charles Joins Sir Elton John for Special Rocket Hour Radio Episode](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/king-charles-elton-john-radio-37867333) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._