King Charles and Sir Elton John joked about getting older as they recorded a special radio programme to mark the monarch's 78th birthday, the BBC reported. Elton, 79, was joined on his regular Rocket Hour show for an episode in which the two chose 14 songs and the King shared musical memories. The programme also marked the 50th anniversary of the King's Trust and the support musicians have given the charity. "We and the Trust are definitely still standing," the King said, naming Elton's "I'm Still Standing" as one of his favourites because of its "message of resilience." Elton joked: "I'm still sitting now, though." The King laughed: "With occasional bits dropping off here and there. I know this is a terrible problem as we get older."
The special was recorded last month at Apple Music Studios in south London and premiered on Saturday morning. The King recalled Elton's 1986 performance at Wembley Arena, which marked the charity's 10th anniversary. "I suspect that no-one who was present on that night in 1986 could possibly forget your performance of I'm Still Standing," he said. "I know people in all kinds of circumstances find this song inspiring, not only for its marvellous spirit, but also its message of resilience." The programme is due to be rebroadcast on Apple Music One at 17:00 and 22:00 on Saturday and again on Sunday at 02:00 and 06:00, and on Apple Music Hits on Sunday at 10:00 and 14:00.
The pairing is a birthday broadcast and a charity anniversary, not a new album or a concert announcement. Elton's Rocket Hour is his regular show; this episode is a one-off with the King as guest and co-selector of the 14 tracks. The jokes about ageing were exchanged on the recording, and the King's tribute to "I'm Still Standing" was tied both to the 1986 Wembley night and to the Trust's 50 years.
The verified news is that the programme has now aired, after a studio session last month, and that it will be repeated over the weekend on Apple Music. It is a light, sourced account of a royal birthday broadcast, not a claim about the charity's finances or about any forthcoming royal tour. Those repeat windows, on Apple Music One through the night and on Apple Music Hits on Sunday, are how a session recorded last month in south London is being offered to listeners who missed the Saturday-morning premiere, without changing the 14-song selection or the birthday-and-charity brief of the original broadcast.