Royal Rhythms: His Majesty Unveils Personal Soundtrack from Around the Commonwealth
In an unprecedented cultural initiative, King Charles III has curated a deeply personal collection of music that has shaped his life's journey with Apple Music, featuring diverse artists from Bob Marley to Kylie Minogue and Grace Jones.
Photographed at Buckingham Palace with a playful "on air" sign adorning his makeshift DJ booth, His Majesty has embraced a thoroughly modern approach to celebrating Commonwealth Day through the universal language of music.
The initiative, dubbed "The King's Music Room," debuts with a striking visual: the Changing of the Guard ceremonial band performing Bob Marley's defiant anthem "Could You Be Loved" against the iconic backdrop of Buckingham Palace—a powerful symbol of cultural fusion.
"Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me," reflects the monarch in the launch video for this Apple Music partnership. "I know that is also the case for so many others."
The King eloquently articulates music's transformative power: "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."
With characteristic thoughtfulness, he adds, "So this is what I particularly wanted to share—songs which have brought me joy."
The complete playlist, accompanied by royal commentary, will be revealed on Monday to coincide with Commonwealth Day celebrations. Beyond Marley's reggae classics and Minogue's dance-pop hits, listeners can anticipate tracks from Nigerian-American powerhouse Davido and critically acclaimed British vocalist Raye.
The monarch's appreciation for Raye's artistry was evident when he attended her performance at a Christmas market held at the renovated Battersea Power Station—coincidentally home to Apple's London headquarters.
This musical initiative represents a fresh approach to Commonwealth Day, traditionally marked by formal royal gatherings at Westminster Abbey. The playlist promises to traverse the King's lifetime of musical appreciation, spanning from 1930s crooners to contemporary Afrobeat innovators.
Accompanying the musical selections, His Majesty will share personal anecdotes about certain artists and explain how particular songs have become woven into the fabric of his life's narrative.
"This seemed such an interesting and innovative way to celebrate this year's Commonwealth Day," the King noted.
His connection to Marley runs particularly deep—he has previously visited the legendary musician's Jamaican home, now preserved as a museum celebrating Marley's enduring legacy.
As if underscoring the project's significance, the palace guards concluded their performance with Marley's timeless words of authenticity: "Don't let them change ya, oh! Or even rearrange ya! Oh, no!"
