8 Mar 2025

What does King Charles listen to? Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones and Bob Marley, according to his Apple Music playlist

4:00 pm on 8 March 2025

By Jessie Yeung, CNN

Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla leave from the Norman Porch after the State Opening of Parliament, at the Houses of Parliament, in London, on November 7, 2023. (Photo by TOBY MELVILLE / POOL / AFP)

King Charles. Photo: AFP / TOBY MELVILLE

When King Charles gets up in the morning, what tunes does he select to start his day?

It's a mix of genres across decades, according to a new Apple Music broadcast show and playlist the monarch has curated - from reggae legend Bob Marley to the more recently Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter RAYE.

"Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. I know that is also the case for so many others," the King says in the opening remarks of the broadcast, recorded at Buckingham Palace and scheduled to air 10 March to mark Commonwealth Day.

"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."

His Apple playlist also includes other familiar names such as Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones and Davido.

Besides the music itself, the king also shares "anecdotes about his encounters with some of the artists featured and reveals why the songs help form the soundtrack to his life", according to the press release.

In a video message released on Apple's website, Charles explained his love of music spliced with footage from a royal brass band playing a rendition of Bob Marley and the Wailers' 'Could You Be Loved' outside Buckingham Palace.

Listeners can tune in on Apple Music 1 throughout Monday and Tuesday (US time).

- CNN

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