King Charles III will join Elton John on Apple Music 1 this Saturday for a special episode of "Rocket Hour" marking 50 years of The King's Trust.
The episode premieres at 9 a.m. GMT on November 14, the King's 78th birthday. Recorded during his October visit to Apple Music's London studios, the conversation covers the musicians and fundraising concerts associated with the charity throughout its history.
Charles and John discuss performances at venues including Wembley Arena and the Royal Albert Hall, as well as artists who received support from the charity early in their careers. Muse, for example, used a grant to buy sound equipment when the band was still called "Rocket Baby Dolls," before eventually returning to raise funds for the organization with a Royal Albert Hall concert in 2018. The episode's music selections also include Raye and Skye Newman.
The recording coincided with the introduction of Apple x King's Trust Creative Labs, an education initiative offering young adults practical experience with creative technology. The program brings together up to 20 participants aged 18 to 30 for workshops exploring potential careers, with the first sessions held in October focusing on music and creative industries.
Apple has supported the charity since 2019, providing technology and coding education resources through its existing programs. The partnership is also developing materials to help educators and young people build their understanding of AI. Charles previously visited Apple's UK headquarters in December 2024, where young people supported by the charity demonstrated coding projects.
The London recording facilities were announced in September alongside Apple Music Hall at Battersea Power Station. The expansion combines new radio studios with a 600-capacity performance venue that can capture concerts in Spatial Audio and produce video for broadcasts.
John has hosted "Rocket Hour" since 2015, using the show to introduce listeners to emerging artists alongside established acts. Charles previously worked with Apple Music on "The King's Music Room," a March 2025 broadcast recorded at Buckingham Palace in which he shared songs by Commonwealth artists and explained their personal significance.
The new special will air for free on Apple Music 1, with additional broadcasts at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. GMT on Saturday. Sunday repeats include broadcasts on both Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. GMT.
