King Charles has visited a hi-tech music workshop for young people, in a collaboration between his King's Trust charity and technology firm Apple. Pop royalty, in the form of Sir Elton John, was a special guest at the event, sitting beside the King, as they listened to a short performance from singer-songwriter Skye Newman. The event was held at a music hall in Apple's headquarters building, in the restored Battersea Power Station in south west London.
The project being backed by the King is intended to equip young people with practical skills to work in the creative industries. The King was introduced to Prophet Guillory, Apple Music's head of artist services, tools and community, who was praised for his work as a mentor for young people. "Wow, you did your homework," Prophet said, when the King seemed familiar with his efforts.
The King was introduced to young performers at the event. Another young musician said the problem was getting the money together to launch creative ideas. Young performer Skye Newman faced what must have seemed like a very unusual X-Factor style panel - King Charles, Sir Elton, his husband David Furnish and Apple's executive chairman Tim Cook.
The music workshop was part of a project between Apple and the King's Trust Creative Labs, and is the latest link-up between the royals and the Californian tech giant. Last year, the King revealed a playlist of 17 of his favourite tracks, which was issued on Apple Music. The King didn't include Sir Elton John in any of those choices - but the pop star has been a long-time supporter of the King's Trust charity, which was previously known as the Prince's Trust.
Now in its 50th year, the charity was set up to give opportunities to deprived and marginalised young people - and has so far helped 1.3 million people across the UK. The tie-up with Apple shows the changing demands for work skills, including using the latest technology for young people wanting to build careers in the music and creative industries. There was also a royal link with Battersea Power Station - as that had once provided the electricity for Buckingham Palace.
In the power station's control room, the link to the Palace had been discreetly labelled as "Carnaby Street", in case any intruders had ever been tempted to switch off the Palace lights. Sign up here to get the latest royal stories and analysis every week with our Royal Watch newsletter. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
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