The King joins Elton John's Rocket Hour on Apple Music

Published 12/11/2026

The King has joined Sir Elton John in conversation for a special edition of Elton John’s Rocket Hour, on Apple Music, celebrating the vital role of music in the work of The King’s Trust in the charity’s 50th anniversary year.

The episode, which will premiere on His Majesty’s 78th birthday, was the first to be recorded at the new Apple Radio studios in London. Visiting Apple Music Studios in London in October, The King sat down with Sir Elton before the launch of the Apple x King’s Trust Creative Labs, a new series of specialised workshops to help equip young people with the technology, resources and in-demand industry skills needed to realise their potential and move into work.

During the conversation, His Majesty and Sir Elton share their memories of iconic performances by some of music’s biggest stars in support of The Trust’s work helping young people over the last five decades – from the Wembley Arena Rock Galas of the 1980s through to pop concerts in Hyde Park and sold-out charity shows at the Royal Albert Hall.

The King and Elton celebrate 10 years of The Prince's Trust in 1986 — The King and Elton John celebrate 10 years of The Prince's Trust (now The King's Trust) in 1986.

The episode also highlights artists who received help from The Trust at the start of their careers, and in some cases have gone on to support The Trust as alumni, for example Muse who received a grant from The then Prince’s Trust to purchase sound equipment when starting out as a band under the name Rocket Baby Dolls and, in a full circle moment, staged a sell-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall in support of The Trust in 2018. The work of The Trust, helping young people access opportunities, aligns with Sir Elton’s passion for championing new music and rising stars through the Rocket Hour radio show on Apple Music and is reflected in the playlist, which includes tracks by Raye and Skye Newman.

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The King and Sir Elton discuss meaningful music and songs by some shared favourite artists, with tracks from artists around the world, dating from the early days of The Trust’s founding to this year’s new releases.

During the episode, His Majesty says:

Music has always been at the heart of The Prince’s, and now The King’s Trust. 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.

Speaking about the recording, Sir Elton John says: “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 episode of Elton John’s Rocket Hour builds on The King’s Music Room, an Apple Music programme recorded at Buckingham Palace in which His Majesty selected tracks by artists from across the Commonwealth to celebrate Commonwealth Day in March 2025.