King Charles unveils 17-track playlist to celebrate Commonwealth Day

King Charles III has captivated global attention by unveiling a personal 17-track playlist on Friday, March 7, 2025, just days before Commonwealth Day on March 10. Named “The King’s Music Room,” this musical project, created in collaboration with Apple Music, will premiere on the platform’s radio stations on March 10 and 11, featuring genres from reggae to disco and Afrobeats. Recorded at Buckingham Palace, where Charles posed with a vintage “On Air” sign, the playlist includes iconic artists like Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue, and Grace Jones, alongside modern talents such as Davido and Raye. The initiative celebrates the cultural diversity of the 56 Commonwealth nations, home to over 2.5 billion people, with a video trailer showcasing the palace guard band playing Marley’s “Could You Be Loved” outside. The full broadcast, airing at 6 a.m. London time on Apple Music 1, offers a rare glimpse into the king’s musical passions and personal memories.

The playlist reflects a lifetime of musical appreciation for the 76-year-old monarch, who narrates its significance in a launch video. From his visit to Bob Marley’s former home in Jamaica to a recent encounter with Raye at a Christmas market in London’s Battersea Power Station, Charles ties his experiences to the songs chosen. Available for free during its live broadcasts and on-demand for Apple Music subscribers, the project reimagines Commonwealth Day—typically marked by a formal service at Westminster Abbey—as a vibrant, accessible celebration of unity through music, connecting the king with listeners across continents.

Spanning artists from the 1930s to today, the playlist bridges generations and geographies, spotlighting the Commonwealth’s rich musical heritage. With nations like Jamaica, Australia, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom represented, Charles uses this platform to strengthen cultural ties within the organization he has led since succeeding Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The initiative underscores his innovative approach to a centuries-old institution, blending royal tradition with modern technology.

Musical tastes of a monarch

Charles III has long cherished music as a source of joy and inspiration. In the project’s introductory video, he describes how the selected tracks evoke memories, provide comfort, and transport him to distant places he’s visited as a royal ambassador. The playlist features Bob Marley’s reggae classics, reflecting the king’s admiration for Jamaican culture, alongside Kylie Minogue’s upbeat dance hits, a nod to Australia’s pop legacy. Grace Jones, with her bold disco sound, bridges her Jamaican roots and British influence, while Davido’s Afrobeats tracks highlight Nigeria’s growing global presence.

Raye, a rising British star, adds a contemporary flair after Charles attended her performance at Battersea Power Station, where Apple’s London headquarters is based. The inclusion of 1930s crooners further reveals the depth of his musical interests, spanning nearly a century of sound. This eclectic mix not only showcases his personal tastes but also mirrors the diversity of the Commonwealth, uniting its past and present through melody.

Personal stories behind the tracks

Each song in “The King’s Music Room” carries a story from Charles’s life. His visit to Bob Marley’s home-turned-museum in Jamaica left a lasting impression, inspiring the inclusion of reggae anthems that echo resilience and unity. Meeting Raye in London connected him to the vibrancy of today’s UK music scene, while Kylie Minogue’s tracks recall his ties to Australia, a key Commonwealth member where he has undertaken numerous royal tours. Grace Jones’s music ties into his appreciation for bold artistry rooted in Caribbean heritage.

Filmed at Buckingham Palace, Charles narrates these connections with warmth, seated at his desk with the “On Air” sign adding a playful touch. He calls the project an “interesting and innovative” way to mark Commonwealth Day, offering listeners a personal lens into his 76 years of experiences. The playlist doubles as a tribute to the artists who shaped his worldview, from Marley’s messages of defiance to Davido’s modern beats.

A sonic portrait of the Commonwealth

The 17 tracks paint a vivid picture of the Commonwealth’s cultural tapestry. With member nations spanning Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific, the playlist captures this diversity through sound. Bob Marley’s reggae resonates with Jamaica’s soul, while Kylie Minogue’s pop reflects Australia’s lively spirit. Grace Jones fuses Caribbean and British influences, and Davido’s Afrobeats spotlight Nigeria’s musical revolution, a genre that’s soared in popularity worldwide since the early 2000s.

Raye’s inclusion celebrates the United Kingdom’s contemporary talent, reinforcing its role as the Commonwealth’s heart. Tracks from the 1930s, evoking an era when the organization was forming, connect historical roots to modern expressions like Afrobeats. Charles’s curation highlights music’s power to unite the 2.5 billion people across these 56 nations, showcasing their shared creativity and distinct identities.

Broadcast schedule and access

The playlist’s rollout is timed to maximize its global reach. Key dates include:

• March 10: Premiere at 6 a.m. London time on Apple Music 1, free to all listeners.
• March 11: Rebroadcast at the same time, ensuring accessibility across time zones.
• On-demand access: Available from March 10 for Apple Music subscribers.

The schedule aligns with Commonwealth Day, observed annually on the second Monday of March, complementing traditional events like the Westminster Abbey service attended by the Royal Family.

Music’s lifelong impact on Charles

Throughout his life, Charles has turned to music for solace and celebration. In the launch video, he reflects on its ability to unearth forgotten memories and lift spirits, a sentiment echoed in his choice of joyful, uplifting tracks. His connection to Bob Marley deepened during a Jamaican visit, while watching Raye perform live sparked a new appreciation for today’s artists. These personal anecdotes, woven into the broadcast, reveal a monarch shaped by sound as much as by duty.

Charles views music as a universal language, especially potent when it brings people together. This belief drives “The King’s Music Room,” transforming a royal passion into a shared experience for Commonwealth citizens and beyond. His selections span decades and continents, mirroring the journeys he’s taken as Prince of Wales and now as king.

Fascinating details of the project

“The King’s Music Room” is rich with intriguing elements:

• Recorded in Charles’s Buckingham Palace office, it features a vintage “On Air” sign from radio’s golden age.
• The palace guard band played Marley’s “Could You Be Loved” during filming, blending military tradition with reggae flair.
• Charles is the first British monarch to launch a playlist on a global streaming platform.
• The Commonwealth, established in 1949, includes 15 realms where Charles serves as head of state.

These facets make the project a groundbreaking fusion of royalty and modern media.

Global reach via Apple Music

Partnering with Apple Music amplifies the playlist’s audience, reaching over 160 countries where the service operates. The free broadcasts on Apple Music 1 ensure wide accessibility, while subscribers can revisit the tracks on demand. Charles’s narration, recorded in his palace office, adds an authentic royal touch, distinguishing this from typical music releases.

The collaboration follows a royal trend: Prince William contributed to Apple’s “Time to Walk” podcast, and Prince Harry produced content for Apple TV+. For Charles, this project modernizes the monarchy, engaging younger audiences and reinforcing the Commonwealth’s cultural relevance through a digital lens.

Public anticipation and cultural impact

The playlist’s announcement has sparked excitement among royal watchers and music fans alike. Blending legends like Marley and Minogue with rising stars like Davido and Raye, it appeals across generations. Charles’s shift from tradition to innovation—swapping formal ceremonies for a streaming event—signals a monarchy adapting to the 21st century. As Commonwealth Day approaches, the playlist is poised to amplify the organization’s global voice, uniting its people through the universal power of music.