King Charles favours classics over pop star hits on unearthed playlist

King Charles needs some tips from Princes William and Harry for a playlist overhaul to appeal to younger generations.

King Charles would be wise to order Princes William and Harry to form a Pop Privy Council if he hopes to engage a younger audience for the monarchy party.

As King of everyone, his playlist tastes were revealed to be overly boomer or obscure when he assembled some favourites in honour of NHS staff for #ThankYouDay in the UK last July.

Then HRH Prince of Wales, he shared the playlist with the Hospital Broadcasting Association for their Hospital Radio Music and Memories program. The Spotify playlist has had 381 likes.

That’s because its missing anything post 2000 like faves Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Adele, Arctic Monkeys or, even, Queen. Elton John, one of the closest pop stars to the Royals, doesn’t make the cut.

The young Prince of Wales clearly had a crush on Barbra Streisand who makes his playlist. Picture: Supplied.

Leading the 13-song collection is Givin’ Up Givin’ In by Philadelphia female soul group The Three Degrees, who performed at his 30th birthday celebrations. The British media attempted to concoct a relationship between Charles and singer Sheila Ferguson and she now jokes in interviews that the rumours destroyed her dating prospects.

“Rather more recently, they also very kindly recorded a message for my 70th birthday, which, I would have to say, is an example of a friendship which has stood the test of time,” he said during the radio show.

Diana Ross was a headliner at the Queen’s Platinum party this year before performing at Glastonbury. Picture: Getty.

His other “pop” choices was Upside Down by Diana Ross, in recognition of the hundreds of entertainers who have performed for his Prince’s Trust galas since 1976, and Barbra Streisand’s Don’t Rain On My Parade.

He first met the singer in 1974 when he was a Royal Navy lieutenant sailing the Pacific. She was recording in San Diego when the Prince contacted her to arrange a meeting, she invited him to the studio. The pair who would become friends with Streisand invited to his Highgrove Estate in Gloucestershire.

“When I heard that (Streisand) was currently making the film (Funny Lady, a sequel to Funny Girl) in the Warner Brothers Studios … I was lucky enough to visit the set and to meet her there,” Charles said.

“I shall never forget her dazzling, effervescent talent and the unique vitality and attraction of her voice and her acting ability.

Harpist Catrin Finch was part of Charles’ mission to revive the position of Royal Harpist. Picture: Supplied.

He pays tribute to Scottish, Irish, French and South African cultures on his list but it is the Welsh track by Catrin Finch called Tros Y Garreg which reveals the King has a thing for the harp.

“Just over 20 years ago, I thought it would be a good idea to revive the post of Royal Harpist, which had last existed in the time of my great-great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria,” he said.

“The post of my Official Harpist was created in the year 2000, with the aim of promoting the harp, the national instrument of Wales, and the importance of Welsh culture, together with giving a young harpist an opportunity to develop their career.

“The first person appointed to the role was the virtuosa, Catrin Finch, who has gone on to have a stellar career.”

The Hospital Radio Music and Memories playlist

Givin’ Up, Givin’ In, The Three Degrees - USA

Don’t Rain On My Parade, Barbra Streisand - USA

La Vie En Rose, Edith Piaf - France

Upside Down, Diana Ross - USA

The Voice, Eimear Quinn - Ireland

The Click Song, Miriam Makeba - South Africa

You’re A Lady, Peter Skellern - England

La Mer, Charles Trenet - France

Bennachie, Old Blind Dogs - Scotland

Lulu’s Back In Town, Dick Powell - USA

They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - USA

Tros Y Garreg / Crossing the Stone, Catrin Finch - Wales

Tydi a Roddaist, Bryn Terfel - Wales