Charles and Elton John joke about aging on birthday podcast

Charles appeared on Elton John’s Apple Music program Rocket Hour for a prerecorded conversation released on November 14, his 78th birthday. The episode also marked 50 years since Charles founded The King’s Trust to support young people in Britain.

The two looked back at John’s performance of “I’m Still Standing” at a 1986 concert for the charity’s 10th anniversary. Charles said the song’s resilience message still resonated, adding that the Trust and its supporters had endured over the intervening decades.

John joked that he was still sitting, prompting Charles to quip about the physical effects of aging. Charles described the chance to join John’s program as too good to pass up.

The Royal Family’s Instagram account promoted the episode with a birthday greeting and a photograph of Charles with John. Prince William and Kate also shared birthday wishes for the King through an Instagram story, reposting the Royal Family’s image.

The conversation came as both men had faced health challenges in recent years: Charles had been receiving cancer treatment, and John had spoken publicly about eyesight problems.