King Charles has given royal fans a glimpse into one of his most personal passions, music, revealing how it brings him a sense of joy and calm while celebrating the cultural richness of the Commonwealth.
“It has this remarkable ability to bring back happy memories and comfort us in times of sadness, and to take us to faraway places,” he said.
Taking to Instagram on Commonwealth Day, the monarch thanked nations across the global network for welcoming members of the Royal Family over the past year.
His message highlighted the numerous royal visits that took place throughout 2025 and early 2026, reflecting the continuing connections between the Crown and countries around the world.
Among the trips mentioned is the visit of the Kings to Canada, while the Prince of Wales traveled to South Africa.
The Princess Royal held engagements in several countries including Australia, Barbados, Singapore and South Africa.
The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Belize and Canada, while the Duke of Edinburgh traveled to Canada, Ghana and Papua New Guinea as part of ongoing royal engagements across the Commonwealth.
In addition to the message, the King also reflected on the power of music to connect people from different cultures and continents.
Last year, to mark Commonwealth Day, a special program titled “The King’s Music Room” was launched in association with Apple Music, showcasing songs from around the world that have personal meaning to the monarch.
The musical collection offers a glimpse into the King’s tastes and memories collected over decades of travels and encounters around the world.
Spanning a wide range of styles, the playlist features celebrated artists such as Jamaican legend Bob Marley, Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue, Nigerian star Davido, British singer RAYE, New Zealand opera great Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, South African music pioneer Miriam Makeba and Canadian singer Michael Bublé.
Fans were invited to tune into the playlist on Apple Music.
