The King appeared impressed as he took in some very swanky tech at a sustainability event this evening.
Charles, 76, watched on in awe as he – along with CEOs and government leaders, as well as A-lister Stella McCartney – attended the Terra Carta Roundtables & Exhibition at Hampton Court Palace, in London.
Looking sharp in a navy suit, the royal was shown a selection of creations – from a very sleek-looking car to a model boat – on Tuesday evening.
The event brings together changemakers making a case for a transition to a sustainable future.
The monarch had founded the Sustainable Markets Initiative – which is behind the summit and ‘aims to put Nature, people and planet at the heart of global value creation’ – five years ago.
It derives its name from ‘the historic Magna Carta’ and serves as a ‘practical roadmap for the private sector to contribute to the world’s 2030 targets for Nature, people and planet’.
In 2020 Charles – then the Prince of Wales – had said: ‘The “Terra Carta” offers the basis of a recovery plan that puts Nature, People and Planet at the heart of global value creation – one that will harness the precious, irreplaceable power of Nature combined with the transformative innovation and resources of the private sector.’
Today, the King looked to be in high spirits as he chatted with other attendees – and also delivered a speech at the event. He also enjoyed a friendly catch-up with Stella McCartney – a council member for his son Prince William’s Earthshot Prize.
The King appeared impressed as he took in some very swanky tech at a sustainability event this evening
Charles, 76, watched on in awe as he – along with CEOs and government leaders – attended the Terra Carta Roundtables & Exhibition at Hampton Court Palace, in London
Looking sharp in a navy suit, the royal was shown a selection of creations – from a very sleek-looking car to a model boat – on Tuesday evening
It comes as, to mark Commonwealth Day, Charles has released a playlist in collaboration with Apple Music.
Becoming the first British monarch in history to record their own podcast – which was aired in full from 6am this morning – he nominated 17 of his favourite songs from across the Commonwealth.
‘Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me,’ the King explains as he narrates the hour-long show from his office at Buckingham Palace.
‘I know that is also the case for so many others. But it has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories flooding back from the deepest recesses of our memory; to comfort us in times of sadness; and to take us to distant places.
‘But perhaps, above all, it can lift our spirits to such a degree; and all the more so when it brings us together in celebration. In other words, it brings us joy.
‘So this is what I particularly wanted to share with you in this collection – songs which have brought me joy.’
Charles and Stella enjoyed a friendly chat as they were both pictured at the event on Tuesday evening
The King laughed up a storm as he chatted with Stella during the event, which highlighted sustainable initiatives
Stella – a Council Member for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize – enjoyed a warm catch-up with the King
Stella spoke to Charles, who looked sharp in an all-navy suit, as he attended the event this evening
The event brings together changemakers who are making a case for a transition to a sustainable future
The monarch had founded the Sustainable Markets Initiative – which is behind the summit and ‘aims to put Nature, people and planet at the heart of global value creation’ – five years ago
It derives its name from ‘the historic Magna Carta’ and serves as a ‘practical roadmap for the private sector to contribute to the world’s 2030 targets for Nature, people and planet’
Today, the King looked to be in high spirits as he chatted with other attendees – and also delivered a speech at the event
Charles got to see a Formula E car. Pictured with SMI chief executive Jennifer Jordan-Saifi and former CEO (and current non-executive chairman) of Fortescue Metals Group Dr Andrew Forrest
Crossing continents and genres, ‘The King’s Music Room’ includes legendary artists Bob Marley and Diana Ross and alongside contemporary talent such as RAYE.
And at the top of the royal playlist is none other than Kylie Minogue’s Loco-Motion.
Describing the song as having an ‘infectious energy’, the 76-year-old sovereign said: ‘This is music for dancing….it has that infectious energy which makes it, I find, incredibly hard to sit still!
‘There is such an irresistibly joyous feeling to that song… ‘
The King revealed he first became an unlikely fan after the pop singer, and ambassador for his then Prince’s Trust, came to St James’s Palace to perform in 2012 ahead of a Diamond Jubilee visit to Australia.
Also on his 17-strong playlist for Apple Music Radio is another left-field choice – Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love – which the star played for him in 2003.
‘From a performer so exceptional that I just could not resist including her music,’ he says, even though ‘Queen Bey’ is strictly not a Commonwealth performer.
Describing her as ‘incomparable’, the King also made a point of congratulating the star on winning her first album of the year award at the Grammys – a ‘shout-out’, royal sources say, he ‘personally’ asked to include.
The royal was also shown the charging station as he attended the sustainability exhibition this evening
Charles looked impressed as he looked at a model of a boat during the event at Hampton Court this evening
The royal appeared to be full of questions as he attended the event this evening – which highlighted sustainable initiatives
Charles was fully immersed in the different exhibit highlights as he attended the event this evening
The royal could be seen chatting with other attendees, and asking questions about the impressive tech on show
The King took in a number of impressive tech as he attended the Sustainable Markets Initiative Terra Carta Exhibition and Reception
He looked to be engrossed in learning about the exhibits, often seen to be asking questions at the event
Charles pictured listening to SMI chief executive Jennifer Jordan-Saifi at the event on Tuesday evening
Charles looked to be in high spirits as he attended the event tonight, and heard Jennifer make a speech
Pictured left to right:John Kerry, former US Secretary of State and Co-Executive Chairman of climate focused investment firm, Galvanize; SMI chief executive Jennifer Jordan-Saifi; King Charles III and Brian Moynihan, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of America
Charles pictured greeting Dr Andrew Forrest, the executive chair and founder of Fortescu, at the event
Charles pictured enjoying a chat with Jennifer Jordan-Saifi at the event, held at Hampton Court this evening
The royal collaboration with Apple Music, who also boast Sir Elton John on their books, came about after the King was asked if he might be interested in sharing some of his favourite songs to mark Commonwealth Day today.
‘Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me,’ the King explained as he narrated the hour-long show.
‘I know that is also the case for so many others. But it has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories flooding back from the deepest recesses of our memory; to comfort us in times of sadness; and to take us to distant places.
‘But perhaps, above all, it can lift our spirits to such a degree; and all the more so when it brings us together in celebration. In other words, it brings us joy.
‘So this is what I particularly wanted to share with you in this collection – songs which have brought me joy.’
Also on the playlist is Bob Marley’s Could You Be Loved, whom the King remembers meeting when he came to London before his tragic death in 1981 at the age of just 36.
The monarch said of Marley, who would have turned eighty this year: ‘I remember when he came to London to perform when I was much younger, and I met him at some event.
‘That marvellous, infectious energy, of course, he had, but also his deep sincerity, and his profound concern for his community. I always recall his words ‘The people have a voice inside of them’. He gave the world that voice in a way that no-one who heard can ever forget…’
There is also the 1930s tune The Very Thought of You, by Al Bowlly which he said reminds him of his much-loved grandmother ‘because she used to play these sorts of music a lot, and also never fails to lift my spirits.’
He also highlighted La Vie en Rose by the ‘superb’ Grace Jones, and RAYE, with Love Me Again, whom he describes as a ‘great ambassador for British music’ and spoke to him recently about her Ghanaian heritage.
‘That reminded me that my first encounter with Ghana wasn’t actually in Africa. It was in Scotland, when I was eight or nine and the then Ghanaian Prime Minister later President, Kwame Nkrumah, came to visit my late mother at Balmoral Castle in Scotland,’ the King recalled.
‘He very kindly gave me a bow with a quiver full of rather dangerous-looking barbed arrows – the sort of gift any young child loves – which, of course, I went straight out and fired into a nearby pine tree and then couldn’t get the arrow out again.’
His very last song is one of his ‘particular favourites’ – ‘Upside Down’ by Diana Ross.
‘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…?! ‘ he signed off.
Recorded at his desk in Buckingham palace last month, the King’s Music Room can be heard live for free on Apple Music Radio this week and to subscribers on download.
