LONDON — A unique and regal playlist has been curated for royalty, featuring an array of music selected by King Charles III himself. Titled “The King’s Music Room,” this special program on Apple Music Radio includes tracks from legendary artists such as Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Kylie Minogue, and Raye, showcasing a diverse range of genres including disco, reggae, and Afrobeats.
This musical anthology, recorded in King Charles’s office within Buckingham Palace, highlights songs from across the 56-nation Commonwealth that have significantly influenced his life. It spans a variety of styles and eras, from classic 1930s tunes to modern beats, and serves as an “interesting and innovative way” to commemorate Commonwealth Day, according to the king.
In his own words, Charles described the collection as comprising “songs which have brought me joy.” Although Apple has kept the full playlist under wraps until its official unveiling, previously, Charles has expressed his fondness for artists like Three Degrees, Barbra Streisand, Edith Piaf, Leonard Cohen, and Miriam Makeba.
A preview clip released this past Friday shows the 76-year-old monarch introducing the project from behind a desk at Buckingham Palace. The trailer also features a troop of military guards playing Marley’s famous reggae hit, “Could You Be Loved,” in the palace courtyard.
The Commonwealth is an association of nations spanning five continents, most of which were former territories of the British Empire. These countries vary widely in size and population, from India and Canada to the small island nation of Tuvalu. As the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, King Charles follows the legacy of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was an active visitor to nearly all member states during her 70-year reign. The king, however, is not a head of state in most of these nations, which hold varied perspectives about their colonial history.
Errollyn Wallen, the Master of the King’s Music, remarked that the Commonwealth boasts a rich repertoire of exceptional songs and artists. She praised the collection as a delightful and varied celebration of the creative brilliance that the Commonwealth has to offer.
