In a surprising and refreshing move to celebrate Commonwealth Day, King Charles III has taken on the role of a radio DJ, curating a personal playlist that reflects the cultural richness of the Commonwealth and beyond. The playlist, titled “The King’s Music Room,” was released on Apple Music and showcases a diverse selection of songs that hold personal meaning for the British monarch.
Among the standout tracks is “Kante”, a hit song by Afrobeats superstar Davido featuring Fave, which stands alongside global musical icons like Beyoncé, Bob Marley, Grace Jones, and Kylie Minogue. The inclusion of “Kante” is a significant nod to Nigeria’s vibrant music scene and highlights Afrobeats’ growing influence on the world stage.
In the broadcast, which was recorded inside his office at Buckingham Palace, King Charles described the show as an “interesting and innovative” way to celebrate the unity and diversity of the Commonwealth family, noting that the playlist features tracks originating from across the Commonwealth and other parts of the world. He also reflected on the emotional power of music, saying:
“Music has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories flooding back from the deepest recesses of our memory. I wanted to highlight songs which have brought me joy.”
Charles’ playlist is a blend of genres, including Afrobeats, reggae, pop, opera, and world music — all selected to reflect the rich tapestry of cultures that make up the modern Commonwealth.
Opening the show, King Charles paid tribute to reggae legend Bob Marley, choosing “Could You Be Loved” as his first track. He fondly recalled meeting Marley and described him as a man of “marvelous, infectious energy, deep sincerity, and profound concern for his community.”
Following Marley’s classic, Charles introduced Millie Small’s “My Boy Lollipop”, another Jamaican hit that took the world by storm, and Kylie Minogue’s “The Loco-Motion,” which he described as “music for dancing” and “incredibly hard to sit still to.”
As he moved through the playlist, the King gave listeners a glimpse into his personal life. He mentioned Al Bowlly’s 1930s hit “The Very Thought of You”, a song that his “much-loved grandmother” used to play, recalling an era of brilliant lyrics and unstoppable rhythm.
One of the playlist’s highlights is Grace Jones’ rendition of “La Vie En Rose,” which Charles described as “superb,” and he playfully asked listeners if it’s possible to improve on such a classic.
Turning to contemporary stars, King Charles praised British singer-songwriter Raye, who was recently nominated for Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammys, calling her “one of our most exciting and acclaimed contemporary singer-songwriters” before playing her track “Love Me Again.”
The King’s deep appreciation for African music was also evident. After reminiscing about his visits to Ghana, he featured Daddy Lumba’s “Mpempem Do Me,” acknowledging Lumba as “regarded by some as the greatest musician Ghana has ever produced.” Right after, he introduced Davido’s “Kante,” showcasing Nigeria’s Afrobeats and recognizing its global appeal.
South African legend Miriam Makeba’s “The Click Song” also featured on the playlist, reinforcing the diversity of African musical artistry.
King Charles didn’t stop there. He went on to celebrate other cultures with songs like “Indian Summer” by Anoushka Shankar, “Anta Permana” by Malaysian star Siti Nurhaliza, and “E Te Iwi E (Call to the People)” by New Zealand opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa.
British talents Jools Holland and Ruby Turner’s “My Country Man” were included, with Charles calling Turner “another unstoppable phenomenon.” He also shared tracks like “Haven’t Met You Yet” by Michael Bublé, “Hot Hot Hot” by Arrow, and “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé, whom he described as “so exceptional I just could not resist including her music.”
He closed with “Upside Down” by Diana Ross, noting it as “one of my particular favorites” and reminiscing how, in his younger days, “it was absolutely impossible not to get up and dance when it was played.” He humorously added, “I wonder if I can still just manage it.”
The King wrapped up the broadcast with a message about the beauty of diversity:
“I hope you have discovered some new and interesting songs from the wonderfully diverse tapestry that makes up the modern Commonwealth, with its rich pattern of cultures that it continues to share with peoples across the entire world.”
Full Playlist Featured by King Charles III:
- Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley and the Wailers
- My Boy Lollipop – Millie Small
- The Loco-Motion – Kylie Minogue
- The Very Thought of You – Al Bowlly
- La Vie En Rose – Grace Jones
- Love Me Again – Raye
- Mpempem Do Me – Daddy Lumba
- KANTE – Davido feat. Fave
- The Click Song – Miriam Makeba
- My Country Man – Jools Holland and Ruby Turner
- Indian Summer – Anoushka Shankar
- Anta Permana – Siti Nurhaliza
- E Te Iwi E (Call to the People) – Kiri Te Kanawa
- Haven’t Met You Yet – Michael Bublé
- Hot Hot Hot – Arrow1
- Crazy in Love – Beyoncé
- Upside Down – Diana Ross
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