King Charles has revealed a personal selection of songs that have brought him joy over the years, featuring artists from across the Commonwealth, including Jamaican reggae icon Bob Marley, Australian popstar Kylie Minogue, and British singer Raye.
The 17-track playlist, titled The King’s Music Room, will be broadcast on Apple Music’s global radio stations on Monday and Tuesday to celebrate Commonwealth Day.
“Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me,” King Charles, 76, says in a trailer for the broadcast, filmed at Buckingham Palace and set for release on Friday.
“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,” he adds.
Apple Music announced that Charles would not only share his diverse playlist—which includes Afrobeats, 1930s crooners, and contemporary artists—but also recount personal anecdotes about his encounters with some of the musicians and the significance of certain songs in his life.
King Charles explained that the idea for the playlist was a new and creative way to mark Commonwealth Day, an annual event celebrating the 56 nations that make up the voluntary association, which he now leads.
“So this is what I particularly wanted to share with you—songs which have brought me joy,” he says in the broadcast. “Thank you for listening. I wish you all every possible blessing.”
The King’s Music Room will air on Apple Music 1 at 6 a.m. GMT on March 10, offering listeners a glimpse into the king’s personal musical journey.