Just call him the dancing King… King Charles has shared a playlist of songs that bring him joy – and ones that have made it “incredibly hard to sit still” – to mark this year’s Commonwealth Day.
The monarch has turned DJ for a one-off radio programme, with disco, reggae and Afrobeats all making the cut.
In the collaboration with Apple, the King takes to the mic to talk about his personal memories of meeting some of the world’s biggest music stars.
Recording the broadcast in his office at Buckingham Palace, he reveals his chosen songs from the likes of Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones and contemporary artists Davido and Raye.
But it’s the regular references to his love of a good dance that stand out.
Introducing one of Kylie’s biggest hits, King Charles says: “The song is The Loco-Motion, and this is music for dancing. Again, it has that infectious energy which makes it, I find, incredibly hard to sit still!”
A couple of stars from outside of the Commonwealth also make the cut; Beyonce, as a supporter of his King’s Trust charity, and Diana Ross because the monarch is clearly a fan.
Talking about her song Upside Down, he says: “This very last song is one of my particular favourites… and when I was much younger, it was absolutely impossible not to get up and dance when it was played! So, I wonder if I can still just manage it…?!”
The decision to do the broadcast has surprised some, but the King agreed as a way of connecting with a younger, more diverse audience as he prepares to head to Westminster Abbey later to mark Commonwealth Day.
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Errollyn Wallen, master of the King’s music, said: “You can see His Majesty’s wide-ranging enthusiasm for music in this playlist to mark Commonwealth Day.
“The Commonwealth has produced more than its fair share of wonderful songs, singers, and musicians, and this fun and eclectic collection is a great reminder of this treasure trove of creativity.”
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It’s probably fair to say the King had a bit of guidance on choosing the tracks.
I’m told he spoke to friends who “know their music”, but that he did sit down one day in Sandringham and listened to the songs on the long list to give the final sign off.
Just imagine being a fly on the wall for that.
