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“The true beauty of music is that it connects people,” American composer Roy Ayers once said...and that applies even to royals. Sure, many Princes, Princesses and monarchs wear tiaras and reside at palaces, but at the end of the day, they're just like us and enjoy listening to many of the same songs we do. From EDM to pop and ‘80s hits, we’ve rounded up royal-approved music and artists loved by Meghan Markle , Kate Middleton , Queen Elizabeth , Princess Estelle and more to add to your playlist...
© HRH The Duchess of CambridgePrince Louis
Though he’s only two years old, Prince Louis already has a favorite song. In March of 2020, the Duchess of Cambridge hosted a Buckingham Palace reception to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Place2Be, during which she revealed that Happy Birthday is “one of [Prince] Louis’ favorite songs.”
© Getty ImagesMeghan Markle
The Duchess of Sussex is a fan of Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me). Meghan loves it so much that the catchy tune reportedly served as her and Prince Harry ’s song for their first dance as husband and wife. According to People magazine, the Suits alum once called the 1987 hit her “happy song.”
© Anna-Lena Ahlstrom/The Royal Court of SwedenPrincess Estelle
The young Swedish Princess likes rock and roll! In 2017, the future Queen attended a KISS concert in Stockholm with mom Crown Princess Victoria and dad Prince Daniel. Estelle rocked Paul Stanley’s iconic star makeup to the show, where she met the band. Paul later told HOLA! USA , “Knowing that their daughter Estelle’s favorite song is Detroit Rock City assures me that they too rock & roll all nite and party everyday!”
© Getty ImagesPrince William and Kate Middleton
For their 2011 royal wedding, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had Ellie Goulding perform a rendition of Elton John’s Your Song for their first dance. At the reception, the English singer also treated the newlyweds to a performance of Starry Eyed, which was reportedly one of William and Kate’s favorite songs.
Queen Elizabeth
Lady Elizabeth Anson opened up about her cousin’s taste in music during the BBC documentary Our Queen: 90 Musical Years. “The Queen loves the theatre and musicals like Showboat, Oklahoma! and Annie Get Your Gun,” Lady Elizabeth said. “These were the tunes that remained in one’s head and were very danceable to.” Prince Charles’ mother is also a fan of The White Cliffs of Dover by Vera Lynn, Cheek to Cheek by Fred Astaire, Sing performed by Gary Barlow and the Commonwealth Band featuring the Military Wives, Leaning on a Lamp-post by George Formby, Lester Lanin Medley, Regimental March Milanollo, in addition to the hymns Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven and The Lord is My Shepherd by Kathyn Jenkins.
© Getty ImagesZara and Mike Tindall
Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips and her husband Mike Tindall are said to have picked Frank Sinatra’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin for their first dance at their 2011 wedding. The former rugby player reportedly once named Sinatra as his dream dinner party guest.
© Getty ImagesPrince Charles
The Prince of Wales has revealed in the past that the late Leonard Cohen is one of his favorite musicians. In honor of his 70th birthday, Charles appeared on Radio 3’s Private Passions during which he chose to play Take This Waltz. Princes William and Harry’s father said: “I’ve always loved Leonard Cohen’s voice and his whole approach to the way he sang. He was obviously incredibly sophisticated in the way he sang, but also wrote.” Charles added: “I find it very moving, the words are so extraordinary, sort of Salvador Dalí-like – they lead you into this remarkable Dalí-like world.”
© WireImagePrincess Madeleine and King Carl XVI Gustaf
Back in 2017, Axel Christofer Hedfors and Sebastian Ingrosso of the Swedish duo Axwell / Ingrosso revealed to HOLA! USA that the King of Sweden and his daughter Madeleine are EDM fans. “It’s a bit of an honor that they are coming and appreciating our music,” Axel said, adding that one of their tracks is a staple at the King’s annual birthday celebration. He shared, “Whenever it’s his birthday he has an orchestra play Don’t You Worry Child for him.”
© WireImagePrincess Eugenie
Daydream Believer by The Monkees has been Princess Eugenie ’s favorite song since she was a young girl and mother Sarah Ferguson would play the 1968 tune for her. “Growing up I used to get really car sick and we used to go on all these trips and journeys. I always remember coming to the last moment of getting there, and I‘d be like, ‘How long until we get there?’” the Princess said in 2017. “Everyone in the car would be like, ‘It’s just around the corner.’ And then I’d get really sick and they’d turn this [Daydream Believer] on and say, ‘Cheer up sleepy Jean.’ Maybe it’s because my name’s Eugenie, like Jean. My mum sang it, my friends sang it, everyone.”
