A playlist worthy of a king; who are the artists that King Charles III is a fan of?

News keeps emerging as the days get closer to the coronation of King Charles III in May, with the Spice Girls the latest group to confirm their performance at a special concert to take place shortly after the official coronation ceremony. Two names that might not appear on King Charles III’s playlist on Spotify anytime soon? Ed Sheeran and Adele.

Both performers have turned down invitations to perform at the event, with Ed Sheeran citing logistical problems as he is currently on tour in the United States, while Adele did not give any reason for turning down the invitation. The Hello performer will next be playing live on May 25 2023.

But with the removal of one artist from his playlist, there is still plenty of music that King Charles III has been said to enjoy - a passion shared by his mother, Queen Elizabeth, who dedicated a good portion of her time as a patron to several classical and chamber music groups across the United Kingdom.

Much akin to his mother, the King’s love of music extends also to patronages with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Bach Choir, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras and English Chamber Orchestra.

But did you know that King Charles III has a soft spot for a certain disco group of the ‘70s, or that despite taking up the cello at an early age still finds himself a fan of Craig David and Leonard Cohen?

PeopleWorld takes a look at who could possibly be on King Charles III’s playlist on the morning of his official coronation, taking place May 6 2023.

Jean Marie Leclair

In keeping with both King Charles III and his mother’s love of classical music, the addition of an 18th-century French violinist should come as no surprise. In particular, the opera Metamorphoses and the composition Scylla et Glaucus, performed by Jean Marie Lecair, was chosen by King Charles III during a BBC Radio 3 special in 2018, where the King referenced its ability to bring up the mood.

“Whenever I hear it, it always makes me feel better,” he said. “It is so incredibly rhythmic, it is incredibly joyful and exciting... do you know those bits of music that put a spring in your step again when you’re feeling a little bit down.”

Richard Wagner

If Leclair was to bring up the mood in the room, then King Charles III’s love of Richard Wagner must be to keep the energy levels in the same vicinity elevated. Wagner’s most well-known composition is one that has scientifically been proven to cause elevated tension while driving - Ride of the Valkyries.

We discovered the full extent of King Charles III’s love of classical music, informed by his mother Queen Elizabeth, during an interview with Classic FM in 2020.

Edith Piaf

Perhaps not considered classical in terms of its genre, but a modern classic nonetheless. Edith Piaf’s sultry rendition of La Vie en Rose (French for life in pink) is said to be another favourite of King Charles. The song’s title can be translated as "Life in happy hues", "Life seen through rose-coloured glasses", or "Life in rosy hues" - showing that King Charles III, like the rest of us, uses music at times as a meditation during the most stressful of times.

Leonard Cohen

King Charles III has also been said to be a fan of the late Canadian singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, who has seen his song “Hallelujah” covered by the likes of John Cale in 1991 and to an even wider, newer audience with Jeff Buckley’s haunting cover in 1994.

The original, recorded for Cohen’s 1984 album Various Positions, interestingly didn’t hit the heights of popularity that it received in subsequent years later, but many will attest when you see the hypnotic, gospel-like performance of Cohen singing the song to a live audience that is deserved more love when it originally was released.

Craig David

Believe it or not, we could have chosen Barbra Streisand or the disco group The Three Degrees, who played at King Charles III’s 30th birthday party. But instead, we’ve gone with British musician Craig David, who always has a song that has a place on everyone’s playlist.

But how do we know that the King is a fan of the Fill Me In singer? In a radio interview in early 2022, David admitted that he and King Charles III used to speak regularly and was a fan of his music. “Charles said "What’s the new thing? "I like that! He’s like, ‘cool, I know about ‘Fill Me In’ and ‘7 Days’, I like this, but what’s the new stuff man?’

"This is the future King’s dedication, he wanted to put it out there to let you all know that he knows you."