'I'm still sitting!': Elton John jokes with King Charles about problems of getting older as they team up for special radio show to mark monarch's 78th birthday

The King and Sir Elton John joked about getting older on a special radio show to mark the monarch's 78th birthday today.

Charles joined the pop legend for his show Rocket Hour on Apple Radio and spoke of 'magic' memories of The Beatles' All You Need Is Love.

He said Sir Elton's own hit I'm Still Standing was one of his favourite songs because of its 'message of resilience'.

He used the song's name in a jape about The King's Trust celebrating its 50th anniversary, joking with Sir Elton, 'We and the Trust are definitely still standing.'

But Sir Elton, 79, quipped, 'I'm still sitting now, though,' prompting a large laugh from the monarch, who chuckled: 'With occasional bits dropping off here and there. I know this is a terrible problem as we get older.'

Sir Elton ribbed 'I'll be on the Antiques Roadshow', with the King laughing and retorting 'Join the club'.

The Trust was founded by the King in 1976 to help young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, to access support, training and education to better their lives. Sir Elton is a long-term supporter. 

Charles said that musicians had been hugely important in maintaining The Trust over the years - raising money through performances - and spoke of his love of the track Your Song, another of Sir Elton's huge hits.

He said: 'I think, in the words of another of your famous songs, I hope you don't mind, but I would like us to play one of your own pieces which takes us back to 1986 and the Rock Gala at Wembley Arena for the 10th anniversary of my Trust.'

To mark King Charles' 78th birthday, he has recorded an hour-long episode of Sir Elton's hit Apple Music podcast and radio show, sharing their favourite memories and songs

King Charles shaking hands with Elton John, flanked by his drummer Ray Cooper (left) and Dire Strait's bassist John Illsley (centre) before Prince's Trust 10th Anniversary Rock Gala at Wembley Arena in 1986

Charles added: 'I suspect that no one who was present on that night in 1986 could possibly forget your performance of I'm Still Standing.

'I know people in all kinds of circumstances find this song inspiring, not only for its marvellous spirit, but also its message of resilience.

'And certainly, 40 years on from that remarkable concert, we and the Trust are definitely still standing.'

The duo, who have known each other most of their adult lives, went on to curate a playlist together for the hour-long episode.

There were 14 tracks, including classics like Hound Dog by Elvis Presley, Lenny Kravitz's It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over, which the King described as 'rather beautiful', Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight and Sir Rod Stewart's rendition of Handbags And Gladrags.

Bob Dylan also made an appearance in the list, with his song Serve Somebody alongside Pete Townshend's Let My Love Open The Door.

But some of their choices may surprise listeners, as The King did not neglect more modern pop music, adding Giant by Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man to the list, as the song he felt summed up his charity because of its spirit of gaining strength from others.

Raye's Joy also made the cut, as well as Skye Newman's Hairdresser, Muse's Feeling Good and Nectar Woode's Wine Into Water, featuring Sir Elton on piano.

Many of these younger artists have been in personal contact with Charles and Sir Elton or The King's Trust. 

King Charles meets Raye and Apple CEO Tim Cook during a tour of the Apple Headquarters in Battersea Power Station in December 2024

King Charles laughs with Sir Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood at a King's Trust 50th Celebration at the Royal Albert Hall in May. He chose Rod's Handbags And Gladrags for the playlist

Rising star Woode has been supported by Sir Elton in her career from the get-go after she sent him a demo tape, while Raye met the King at an engagement with Apple in 2024.

The episode also highlights some of those who received help from the Trust in their early days, including Muse, who were given a grant from the then Prince's Trust to purchase PA equipment when they were starting out as a band under the name Rocket Baby Dolls.

The King said: 'Music has always been at the heart of The Prince's, and now The King's Trust.

'So when I was asked whether I would like to showcase a selection of music from among the many talented performers who have so generously supported us over the years, together with some of the newer artists the trust has helped to launch, it was an opportunity too good to resist.'

Sir Elton praised the trust, saying: 'I never knew that some of these musicians were involved in the trust. It's great news to me... and it reinforces for me all the great work that you've done all these 50 years, because I had no idea. So bravo.' 

The King thanked Sir Elton for adding 'a little Rocket Power to the proceedings' and returned the praise to the pop star for becoming 'such a national treasure after all these years'.

In a poignant moment, Sir Elton asked Charles: 'I know you're a great lover of music. Can you tell me about a song that you find extremely meaningful?'

The King replied: 'I shall never forget the magic of witnessing a simply unforgettable performance of All You Need Is Love for my late mother's Golden Jubilee at the Party At The Palace concert with Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart and Joe Cocker, and I think with Phil Collins on drums, Brian May and Eric Clapton on guitar and an all-star backing choir.

'It really is a totally timeless song with a timeless message.'

Before playing the song, Charles said it transported him 'right the way back to 1967 when it was the anthem of the "Summer of Love" – remember a number one on both sides of the Atlantic and a huge hit worldwide.'

He recalled seeing the single's record sleeve showing John, George, Paul and Ringo 'all sporting magnificent moustaches'.

Sir Elton said, in the conversation recorded at the brand new Apple Music Studios in Battersea Power Station, south London, last month, he had been lucky to have met and known all The Beatles. 

'They all became friends of mine. I couldn't believe it because when I was a young boy, I remember cycling to buy Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. So when you get to become friends of your idols, it's quite amazing,' he said.

The pair also picked out Tina Turner's Proud Mary as their opening song, with the King praising the late star for being an 'electrifying character' and describing how after her death the guard at Buckingham Palace played her hit Simply The Best.

'It was, I hope, a small way of thanking her for the times she has performed for my charities and indeed for the joy she brought to millions of people,' the King said.

Sir Elton said Elvis' Hound Dog changed his life when his mother came home with the record.

'I'd never heard anything like it before', he said, adding it 'set me on my road to my career because from that point on, that's all I wanted to do was to play that kind of music'.

The King said: 'But it gave rise, didn't it, in the end to the most wonderful, still the most fantastic number of lookalike Elvises who perform all over the place.'

Charles, describing coming into contact with musicians over the years, said 'I've had the pleasure of meeting some of Motown's greatest artists'.

He revealed Sir Elton and Sir Rod both share a fondness for practical jokes, and introducing the track Handbags And Gladrags said: 'Here is Rod's rendition and I can't help thinking that that amazingly characterful voice has never sounded better.'

He thanked Sir Elton for being 'my guide and companion' on a 'fascinating musical voyage', adding: 'I hope listeners have heard some old favourites here and perhaps found some new favourites too.'

The full episode of Elton John's Rocket Hour premiered at 9am on Saturday on Apple Music 1.

There are additional opportunities to hear it for free on Apple Music 1 on Saturday at 5pm and 10pm, and on Sunday at 2am and 6am, and on both Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits at 10am and 2pm on Sunday.

It will then be available to listen to or download from the Apple Music platform.