His Majesty and Sir Elton discuss the role of music in the charity’s work supporting young people, with the special episode premiering on the King’s 78th birthday.
King Charles has joined Sir Elton John for a special edition of the Rocket Hour on Apple Music, marking the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust and the vital part music has played in its work with young people.
The episode premieres at 9am GMT on Saturday 14 November 2026, which is also the King’s 78th birthday. It was the first programme recorded at the new Apple Radio studios in London. The King visited the studios in October and sat down with Elton ahead of the launch of the Apple x King’s Trust Creative Labs, a series of workshops designed to give young people access to technology, resources and industry skills.
During the conversation the pair share memories of major benefit performances that have supported the Trust over five decades, from the Wembley Arena Rock Galas of the 1980s to concerts in Hyde Park and sell-out shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
The episode also highlights artists who received early support from the charity and later gave back. Muse, then known as Rocket Baby Dolls, received a grant from the then Prince’s Trust to buy sound equipment. In 2018 the band staged a sold-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall in support of the Trust. The playlist features tracks by artists the Trust has helped launch, including Raye and Skye Newman, alongside material from the early years of the organisation through to current releases.
“Music has always been at the heart of The Prince’s, and now The King’s Trust,” the King says in the episode. “So when I was asked whether I would like to showcase a selection of music from among the many talented performers who have so generously supported us over the years, together with some of the newer artists The Trust has helped to launch, it was an opportunity too good to resist.”
Elton John said: “I learnt a lot from speaking to His Majesty. Hearing about the artists who have been involved in The King’s Trust reinforces the great work that has been done over the last 50 years. I know from presenting my Rocket Hour show, that if you champion a young artist and show you believe in them, it makes all the difference. That’s the greatest thing you can do. Young people are our future and the King’s Trust are doing a wonderful job.”
The special Rocket Hour follows The King’s Music Room, an Apple Music programme recorded at Buckingham Palace in which the King selected tracks by artists from across the Commonwealth to mark Commonwealth Day in March 2025.
The full episode airs first at 9am GMT on Saturday 14 November on Apple Music 1. Further free plays are scheduled across the weekend:
Saturday 14 November
5pm GMT / 9am PT – Apple Music 1
10pm GMT / 2pm PT – Apple Music 1
Sunday 15 November
2am GMT / 6pm PT – Apple Music 1
6am GMT / 10pm PT – Apple Music 1
10am GMT / 2am PT – Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits
2pm GMT / 6am PT – Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits
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